Page:Dialogue between a blind man and death.pdf/9

( 9 ) To Prayer therefore will I join endeavour,

So to live here that I may live forever;

And ſeeing they that have and keep Chriſt's Words,

Whether they live or die be all the Lord's.

Repentance, Faith and new Obedience ſhall,

Fit and prepare me for my Funeral;

From whence I truſt my Saviour will tranſlate me,

In Seaſon due, beyond their Reach that hate me,

Even to that Place of Life and Glory too,

Where neither Death nor Sin hath ought to do.

This Hope in me, that Word of his doth cheriſh,

He that believes in me ſhall never periſh.

Now welcome Death upon my Saviour's Score,

Who would not die to live forevermore?

Death. Sir, I perceive you ſpeak not without Reaſon;

I'll leave you now, and call another Seaſon.

Blind Man Call when you pleaſe, I will await that Call,

And while I ſtand make ready for my Fall;

In the mean Time my conſtant Prayers ſhall be,

From Sudden and from endleſs Death

Good Lord deliver me. Judge not of Death by ſenſe, leaſt you miſtake it,

Death's neither Friend nor Foe, but as you make it,

Live as you ſhould, you need not to complain,

For where to live is Chriſt, to die is Gain.

Mercy and Grace by Heavenly Power

Can make the vileſt Wretch on Earth,

Forſake his Sins and Chriſt implore,

To Crown him with a ſecond Birth.

So Bunyan once lay wallowing in the Mire,

'Till Grace and Mercy ſet his Heart on Fire,

Drew him from hence with Bands of Dying Love,

And Crown'd the Pilgrims Head with Joys above,

Joys which a thouſand Deaths will recompence,

Joys which, like God, are laſting and immenſe.