As the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Hebrews 2:14–15
Words: Isaac Watts, Sermons 1721–27.
Music: Alstone Christopher E. Willing, in the appendix to Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1868 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Willing (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Do flesh and nature dread to die?
And timorous thoughts our minds enslave?
But grace can raise our hopes on high,
And quell the terrors of the grave.
Do we not dwell in clouds below,
And little know the God we love?
Why should we like this twilight so,
When ’tis all noon in worlds above?
When we put off this fleshly load,
We’re from a thousand mischiefs free,
For ever present with our God,
Where we have longed and wished to be.
No more shall pride or passion rise,
Or envy fret, or malice roar,
Or sorrow mourn, with downcast eyes,
And sin defile our eyes no more.
’Tis best, ’tis infinitely best,
To go where tempters cannot come,
Where saints and angels, ever blest,
Dwell and enjoy their heavenly home.
O for a visit from my God,
To drive my fears of death away,
And help me through this darksome road,
To realms of everlasting day!