X. And am I born to die

1 And am I born to die?
To lay this body down?
And must my trembling spirit fly
Into a world unknown?
A land of deepest shade,
Unpierc'd by human thought?
The dreary regions of the dead,
Where all things are forgot.

2 Soon as from earth I go,
What will become of me?
Eternal happiness or woe
Must then my portion be!
Wak'd by the trumpet's sound,
I from my grave shall rise,
And see the Judge with glory crown'd,
And see the flaming skies!

3 How shall I leave my tomb!
With triumph or regret?
A fearful or a joyful doom,
A curse or blessing meet?
Will angel-bands convey
Their brother to the bar?
Or devils drag my soul away
To meet its sentence there!

4 Who can resolve the doubt
That tears my anxious breast?
Shall I be with the damn'd cast out,
Or number'd with the blest?
I must from God be driv'n,
Or with my Saviour dwell:
Must come at his command to heav'n,
Or else depart to hell.

5 O thou that wouldst not have
One wretched sinner die,
Who dy'dst thyself, my soul to save
From endless misery!
Shew me the way to shun
Thy dreadful wrath severe,
That when thou comest on thy throne,
I may with joy appear.

6 Thou art thyself the way,
Thyself in me reveal;
So shall I spend my life's short day
Obedient to thy will;
So shall I love my God,
Because he first lov'd me,
And praise thee in thy bright abode,
To all eternity.

Text Information
First Line: And am I born to die
Language: English
Publication Date: 1791
Topic: Awakening and Inviting
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