the seals fulfilled the prophecy ;* and the eyes of * “ And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the back side, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four-and-twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood. And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: and he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, and he cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth : and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write and I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer but in the days of the voice of the all assembled in the valley of decision are fastened upon him. (Luke iv. 16-20.) seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets." (Rev. v. 1-9; x. 1-7.) CHAPTER III. THE ASCENSION. ARISE, shine forth, thy light is come, on thee thy glorious Lord is ris'n, The trumpets sound, He gives the word for thine ascending flight to heav'n ;* The brightness of his righteousness triumphant guides to highest skies,+ To the fair temple of their God his countless hosts transported rise; Salvation, as a burning lamp, does his unnumber'd tribes pre cede, To the bless'd, promis'd, heavenly land unveiled glory upwards leads. Led by the radiant morning star, the wise unto salvation fly, All nations, kindreds, people, tongues will manifested glory see, The infant cherubs spread their wings, the new-born seraphs sweetly sing Melodious warbling as they fly, ecstatic notes of victory; Angelic legions, van and rear, enraptured join the gen❜ral cheer, * Isai. lxi. 1. + Isai. Ixii. 1. "The children of the glorious resurrection," that is, the spirits of just men made perfect in paradise, and advanced to angelic nature on their joyful reunion with their once vile, but now glorified bodies. With loud hosannas all acclaim, blessings on him who, in God's name, To work this great salvation came, and his blest kingdom did proclaim. Hosanna in the highest! ambrosial wreaths of life they strew, With fragrant, scented, balmy dew, from heav'nly flow'rs of dazzling hue; And as aloft they swiftly soar, their noble theme of praise pur sue, God is our strength, God is our song, all praise and power to him belong; His name we laud and magnify, for He hath triumphed glo riously; He our salvation is become, our God we will exalt on high; Glorious in pow'r is his right hand, it hath dash'd down the enemy. The greatness of his excellence hath overthrown the arrogance Of those who impious rose against the might of his omnipotence, He swift sent forth his wrath, and they as stubble are consum'd With his destroying nostril's blast-deep down in hell they lie entomb'd. O who is like the Lord our God, with him in pow'r who can compare? Glorious is He in holiness, his fearful praise none can declare; The mighty wonders of renown wrought at his last, dread, awful trump, When He stretch'd out his own right arm, and all his foes were swallow'd up. He now in mercy deem'd, leadeth forth his servants whom He hath re Girded with his Almighty strength, with immortality they teem, His purchased possession pass to the blest realms of peace and love, Pass over with their leader to the heav'nly Canaan up above; Unto his holy, blest abode, He'll bring them in and plant them fast, His mountain of inheritance will ever and for ever last. That place, O Lord, which thou hast made, wherein to dwell above the sky, Which thine own hands have stablished thy consecrated sanc tuary; There thou wilt ever, ever reign, and we shall ever bless thy name; With clarions sweet, and lutes and lyres, angelic choirs respon sive sing, And angels ever “bright and fair,” recount the triumphs of their King! * Aloud the watchmen now do cry that they the heav'nly Elim spy, One pealing shout rends through the sky, all is love, transport, ecstasy, For God in glory Zion brings,+ augmented rapture speeds their wings, Lighted by glory's splendid torch, they fly into the heavenly porch; Th' eternal gates lift high their heads, the everlasting doors un fold, The King of glory enters in, the great etherial trumpets sound The entrance of the royal Priest into his blest, celestial fold, Cherubic chor'sters usher in the mighty Lord of hosts on high, With loud hossannas, rapturous cheers, and heaven's harmonious symphonies. Angels waft galbanum, cassia, nard and odours sweet perfume the sky; The Captain of salvation gives his supreme, sov'reign, high, com mand, That all his victors freely pass, the unbarr'd gates wide open stand: Go through, go through,‡ their Lord proclaims, whilst they on him their blessings show'r; In the vast heav'nly paradise his countless ransom'd myriads pour. On its bright, verdant mountain-tops, for a short space, amidst the blest, In this pure, hallow'd holy place, the glory of the Lord does rest;§ With exquisite delight and joy his winged hosts again re-see, Blooming, in never-ending spring, the seat of their felicity; *The above lines are taken from that noble effusion denominated the "Song of Moses." (See Exod. xv.) + Isai. lii. 8. Isai. lxii. 10. § Numb. x. 12. |