FRANCIS TAYLOR.

THE extract which follows is from "Grapes from Canaan, or the Believer's present Taste of Future Glory," by FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1658;" a small volume of occasionally rude, but animated verse.

FRANCIS TAYLOR.

DESIRE OF HEAVEN.

O, LONG to be installed in the throne
Of endless glory; let thy spirit groan
After a full and plenary possession
Of blessedness transcending all expression.
Be like the bird of paradise, which, (they say,)
Being entangled in the snare, straightway
Begins to strive, and never giveth o'er
Till she enjoy her freedom as before.

66

Sing Simeon's swan-like song at his decease-
Lord, let thy servant now depart in peace."
Welcome the messenger of death, which brings
Most joyful tidings from the King of kings;
Which tells the saints of an approaching crown
Of matchless glory, honour, and renown.
Death is the chariot, which without delay
Saints to their Father's house bears swift away.
Death is to humble penitents no less
Than a short entrance into happiness,
Death is the saints' ascension-day to bliss;
Their marriage-day with Jesus Christ it is.
Death is the charter of their liberty,
The period of their pain and misery:

Death gives them an immunity from sin,

And frees them from the fears they once were in : Death is the bane of woe, the grave of vice,

The portal opening into Paradise;

Where grace, that in the bud was here below,
Into the flower of glory straight shall blow;
Where saints' immortal souls, made more divine,
Shall with the diamonds of perfection shine:
Where they, to their unspeakable delight,
Of God himself shall have a perfect sight;
Where in their wills there shall a likeness be
To God, in holiness and purity;

Where, having shot the gulf of death, they shall
Wear on their heads a crown imperial;
Where the rich caskets of their souls shall be
O'erlaid with glory's best embroidery;
Where no contaminating tincture e'er
Shall their unspotted purity besmear;
Where God himself unto the saints shall be
A spring of life to perpetuity;

Where they shall in the fragrant bosom lie
Of their Beloved, to eternity;

Where the enamel of their glory shall
Never wear off, nor soiled be at all;

Where they a glorious kingdom shall receive,
Of which no power on earth can them bereave;
Where they their safety shall behold from all
Insulting foes, and their eternal thrall;
Where they shall be partakers of that joy
Which will them satisfy, but never cloy;
Where Baca unto Beracha1 shall be
Converted-mourning into melody.

1 Baca-weeping; Beracha-blessing. See Ps. lxxxiv. 6,

and 2 Chron. xx. 26.

Where brinish tears shall never dim their eyes.
Nor shall their ears be frighted more with cries;
Where sorrows ne'er shall damp their hearts again,
Nor shall their senses be disturb'd with pain;
Where length of years, without the least decay
Of strength, they shall enjoy; yea, where for aye
They shall be blessed with the love of many,
And need not fear the jealousy of any;
Where for their labour a "Quietus est"
Each saint shall have, and ever be at rest:
Where life and immortality they shall

Have for their death in Christ, and Christ for all.