For all who wished, perpetual righteousness ? And have not you, my faithful servants, all Been frequent forth, obedient to my will, With messages of mercy and of love, , Administering my gifts to sinful man? And have not all my mercy, all my love, , , Been sealed and stamped with signature of heaven? By proof of wonders, miracles, and signs The others, who refused to be redeemed, They stand, unsanctified, unpardoned, sad, So saying, He, the Father infinite, Turning, addressed Messiah, where he sat Exalted gloriously, at his right hand. This day belongs to justice, and to Thee, Eternal Son! thy right for service done Abundantly fulfilling all my will ; By promise thine, from all eternity, Made in the ancient Covenant of Grace; And thine, as most befitting, since in thee Divine and human meet, impartial judge, Consulting thus the interest of both. Go then, my Son, divine similitude ! Image express of Deity unseen! The book of my remembrance take ; and take ; The golden crowns of life, due to the saints ; And take the seven last thunders ruinous; · Thy armour take ; gird on thy sword, thy sword Of justice ultimate, reserved, till now Unsheathed, in the eternal armory; And mount the living chariot of God, Thou goest not now, as once to Calvary, as once against the rebel hosts : Thou goest a Judge, and find’st the guilty bound: Thou goest to prove, condemn, acquit, reward; Thus said the Father; and the Son beloved, Omnipotent, Omniscient, Fellow God, Arose resplendent with Divinity; And He the book of God's remembrance took ; And took the seven last thunders ruinous ; And took the crowns of life, due to the saints ; His armour took ; girt on his sword, his sword Of justice ultimate, reserved, till now And now the Trump of wondrous melody, By man or angel never heard before, Sounded with thunder, and the march began. Not swift, as cavalcade, on battle bent, But, as became procession of a judge, Solemn, magnificent, majestic, slow; Moving sublime with glory infinite, And numbers infinite, and awful song. They passed the gate of heaven, which many a league, Opened either way, to let the glory forth Of this great march. And now, the sons of men Beheld their coming, which, before, they heard ; Beheld the glorious countenance of God! |