Classic Poem

On the last Judgment, and the Happiness of the Saints in Heaven.

Done from the Latin of J. Gerhard .

I N that bless'd Day, from ev'ry Part, the just,
Rais'd from the liquid Deep or mould'ring Dust,
The various Products of Time's fruitful Womb,
All of past Ages, present and to come,
In full Assembly shall at once resort,
And meet within high Heav'n's capacious Court:
There famous Names rever'd in Days of old,
Our great Forefathers there we shall behold,
From whom old Stocks and Ancestry began,
And worthily in long Succession ran;
The reverend Sires with Pleasure shall we greet,
Attentive hear, while faithful they repeat
Full many a virtuous Deed, and many a noble Feat.
There all those tender Ties, which here below,
Or Kindred, or more sacred Friendship know,
Firm, constant, and unchangeable shall grow.
Refin'd from Passion, and the Dregs of Sense,
A better, truer, dearer Love from thence,
Its everlasting Being shall commence:
There, like their Days, their Joys shall ne'er be done,
No Night shall rise, to shade Heav'n's glorious Sun,
But one eternal Holy-day go on.