Classic Poem

SECTION I .

Sickness come to an extremity; or a sick man brought to the gates of death.

In mercy does the mighty God,
Man for his sins chastise,
When he, t' instruct him by the rod,
Disturbs his bed of ease.

Sore sicknesses, God's host array'd,
The strongest man assail;
Sharp pains his num'rous bones invade,
And o'er their strength prevail.

Hid poison does his vigour waste,
His soul abhors the sight
Of curious meats, which once his taste
Did relish with delight.

He who before, in blooming pride,
Could boast a graceful air;
And pamper'd at his ease, abide
In figure, plump, and fair.

Does now, by an amazing change,
His neighbours all surprise,
And pale lean cheeks, and staring strange
With ghastly hollow eyes.

His weary bones, a horrid sight!
All starting through the skin,
Which lay before, both day and night,
In flesh and fat unseen.

His throbbing heart, with grief subdu'd,
In pain and labour beats;
And life expiring, close pursu'd
Through every vein, retreats.

On-lookers think each gasp, or breath,
Will end the doleful fray;
And killing harbingers of death
Stand ready for the prey.

SECTION II .

The faithful Soul Physician an instrument of bringing back the sick patient from the gates of death; or the Gospel remedy skilfully applied, and Christ the only ransom.

If then a messenger attend,
That knows the voice of God,
And does, with prudence, apprehend
The errand of the rod;

Who, for a Soul-physician known,
From heav'n his message bears,
Such an Interpreter is one
Among a thousand seers;

Who skill'd to deal in deep distress,
With sinners and with saints;
To shew to man his uprightness,
He neither hath or wants;

Who having wisdom to be mild,
Or tart, as cases crave,
Exhibits comfort to the child,
Conviction to the slave;

Instructs the patient how to bear
The most afflicted rod
With soul-submiss, and still to clear
The righteousness of God;

That he no quarrel, in his breast,
May 'gainst his Maker lodge,
But for his sins himself arrest,
And justify his Judge:

If thus the person, sick to death,
Receive instruction just,
And, owning sin's desert of wrath,
Be humbled to the dust;

Humbled to own his scores of vice,
And charges undefray'd;
And humbled to accept the price,
Was by the Surety paid:

Then God, most ready to acquit,
Says, " Save the captive bound
" From going down into the pit,
" I have the ransom found.

" What I have found he judges good,
" And so it is to me;
" The ransom is my darling's blood,
" Go set the captive free. "

Then quick deliv'rance oft is wrought,
The patient is made whole;
To health and strength his body brought,
To peace and joy his soul.

Soon as he does his wrongs confess,
And choose the way that's right,
His God exalts him to the bliss
Of lasting life and light.