Henry Charles Beeching, ed. (1859–1919). Lyra Sacra: A Book of Religious Verse. 1903. The Exit By Richard Baxter (1615–1691)
MY 1 soul, go boldly forth, Forsake this sinful earth, What hath it been to thee But pain and sorrow, And think’st thou it will be 5 Better to-morrow? Why art thou for delay? Thou cam’st not here to stay: What tak’st thou for thy part But heavenly pleasure? 10 Where then should be thy heart But where’s thy treasure? There I shall know God more, There is the blessed chore, 2 No wickedness comes there, 15 All there is holy: There is no grief or fear, No sin or folly. Love flames in every breast The greatest and the least, 20 Strangers to this sweet life There are not any. Love leaves no place for strife, Makes one of many. Each is to other dear; 25 No malice enters there, No siding difference, No hurt, no evil; Because no ignorance, No sin, no devil. 30 What joy must there needs be Where all God’s glory see, Feeling God’s vital love Which still is burning; And flaming Godward move, 35 Full love returning. Gladly, my soul, go forth; Is heaven of no more worth Than this curst desert is, This world of trouble? 40 Prefer eternal bliss Before this bubble. Wish not still for delay; Why would’st thou longer stay From Christ, from home so far, 45 In self-denial: And live in longer war A life of trial? Cherish not causeless doubt That God will shut thee out: 50 What if He thee assured From heaven by letter? His Son, His Spirit, and Word Have done it better. Christ who knows all His sheep 55 Will all in safety keep. He will not lose His blood Nor intercession: Nor we the purchased good Of His dear Passion. 60 I know my God is just, To Him I wholly trust All that I have and am, All that I hope for: All’s sure and seen to Him 65 Which I here grope for. Lord Jesus, take my spirit, I trust Thy love and merit: Take home this wandering sheep, For Thou hast sought it: 70 This soul in safety keep, For Thou hast bought it. Amen.
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