AN ELEGIAC POEM

ON

THE DEATH

OF

THE REV. A. M. TOPLADY.

AN ELEGIAC POEM

ON

THE DEATH

OF

THE REV. A. M. TOPLADY.

The Elegiac Poem, here subjoined, appeared shortly after the death of Mr. Toplady, and, as these Pieces, in general, descend into oblivion, the Editor, in order to preserve this from a similar fate, has inserted this tribute to departed worth, as it appeared in the Magazines of that period.-The Author's name (he believes) was Mr. John Fellows.

DESCEND ye shining seraphs from on high!
Ye, who with wonder and with praise survey
The great Redeemer's love to fallen man;
Ye, who with ceaseless songs surround the throne
Of filial godhead, basking in the blaze

Of boundless glory; ye, who burn with love

To all the saints; and have, at Christ's command,
Oft join'd in bright assemblage, and came down
From heaven's high summit thro' these lower skies,
To bear his sons triumphant to his throne.
Descend! and in full legion aid the flight
Of a fair saint, who now rejoicing lies

On death's cold verge: who, in his God's embrace,
Smiling resigns his mortal breath, and stands
On love's strong pinions ready to ascend.
Salvation to the Lamb who once was slain!
Dominion, glory, majesty, and praise!

Unerring wisdom shines, and boundless might
In all his deeds. By his almighty power
He hath disarm'd the monster of his sting,
And tyrant death is now a conquer'd foe.
Wide as the sound of mighty seas, let all
The heavenly multitudes begin the song.
Let all the skies with hallelujahs ring:
And each angelic harp resound his praise.

Thus as AUGUSTUS yielded up his breath
And smiling sunk into his Saviour's arms,
His guardian angel sang. Mean while a-train
Of mighty cherubs, by heaven's King's command,
Assembled, wait the signal to descend,

And bring the saint in triumph thro' the skies.
Michael, the chief of the angelic hosts,

With Gabriel, the fast friend of all the heirs
Of glory, now commanded: The glad chiefs
Prepare their trophies, and with heavenly pomp
Worthy the great occasion, swift descend
Thro' the pure æther. All the shining train
With strong immortal pinions cleave the skies.
Michael the prince, before the troop descends,
Exulting thus to friendly Gabriel spake :

MICHAEL.

Gabriel behold with what extatic joy Our favour'd train receive the high command To fetch AUGUSTUS to the climes of bliss! With eager haste each cherubim proceeds; Fix'd to the chariot stand the steeds of fire, Which beat with burning hoofs the sounding plain, And snorting toss on high their beamy heads Reluctant to the rein. The fervid wheels Instinct with spirit, and with love inspir'd Burn for the course. Each cherub waves his shield, And claps his wings impatient of delay.

GABRIEL.

If any thing can add to heavenly bliss,
Or give new relish to the boundless joys
We feel in doing our great Maker's will,
It is the holy pleasure which expands

Our glowing hearts, when from the lower world
We bear on high Immanuel's ransom'd sons,
The chosen objects of his early love:
But when we bring to his eternal hill

Those who have labour'd in his righteous cause,
And have each glorious gospel truth maintain'd
Against the rage of Sion's numerous foes,
Our joys are greater: And these earthly stars
We bear to heavenly heights and set to shine
In brighter skies. But see, the signal made
For our departure! Down the steep of heaven
As swift as light, ye legions bear away!

MICHAEL.

Here! this way lies our course! Behold yon star Which feebly glimmers thro' the distant void; And scarce to angels' sight appears in view. This is the sun that fills the lower skies With light and heat; and hath successive years Pour'd from his burning throne the blazing day Which cheers the world where the Redeemer bled. A world where horrid guilt, outrageous reigns, And black rebellion seeks to storm the skies: Where haughty man, the lord of all the globe, Presumes with daring insolence t' arraign The conduct of his Maker; break his law, And disbelieve his word. A world where hell's Black horrid king in ceaseless tumult reigns, Fomenting rage, and cruelty, and war

In all their horrid forms; and every vice

VOL. I.

L