Deaths summons: or, A conference betwixt death and the young man, the married man, and the king

The Sincere Believer.

O Death, what wouldst thou me to say? I know what Debt I have to pay: I must lay down this mortal life, And so for ay to end my strife; Though that thou wouldst grant me delay, I choose no longer here to stay. Thy coming here not ill I take, Thou's welcome for thy Masters sake. Love-tokens he doth send with thee, That shortly I his face shall see. My Husbands messenger thou art, Come quickly then, and act thy part. Come, loose my bonds, and let me go, O Death, why dost thou linger so? Make haste, O time, my glass, run out; Sun, swiftlie move thy course about: Close up my time, that once he may Come solemnize the wedding day. Then shall my joyful day begin, When I his presence enter in; Then shall I taste eternallie, Which in my life my Faith did see: The earnest is so sweet to taste, That to enjoy the harv'st I haste.

The term-day of my grief is come, For now I'le ever ceafe from sin; Death's bodie now I shall lay down, And shall put on immortal Crown: And set my feet on neck of those, That in my life were vexing foes. Though thou this breath take me fro, I will not count thee as my foe. No terrour thou can be to me, Since Christ my life for Me did die, O Death, I am thy death, said he, O Grave, I am thy victorie. From hence the bitter sting is lost, Thou canst no sound believer boast. I'll willingly endure the pain, And die in hope to live again. Now, holie Father, to thy hand, The Sp'rit thou gave I do commend. O that Death would within short space, Remove that vail that hides his face: That I may see as I am seen, And nothing come our face between, That I might see that compleat sight Of Jesus in his glory bright. O dearest friends, come, learn at me While ye have life, still learn to die. Make peace with God in Jesus Christ, Then Death and ye shall sweetly tryst. Ye need not fear a moments pain, A door shall open to your gain. Take not this counsel as a jest, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 speak to you from what I taste, All that this earth could give to me ••dung, compar'd with what I see ••ehind the vail; then nothing fear

〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ose whatever you have here, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 find the earnest of this joy, ••ou•• wit and strength do all imploy, The shadows vain on earth forsake, Sad reck'ning in the end they'l make, O that ye saw what I do feel: And so I bid you all farewell.