Song of Angels, Joy of the Blest
Cynewulf encourages his listeners to remain committed to the Christian life, by reminding them of the reward that awaits them.
?800
Anglo-Saxon Britain 410-1066
Cynewulf encourages his listeners to remain committed to the Christian life, by reminding them of the reward that awaits them.
?800
Anglo-Saxon Britain 410-1066
What shines out of every page of the New Testament is the promise of eternal life. In Christ, a narrative poem written in Old English sometime around 800, the poet Cynewulf drew together a number of Scriptural quotations to remind his listeners of the reward that awaits those who do not turn aside.
BUT the elect shall bring before Christ bright treasures; their glory shall live at the judgment day; they shall possess the joy of a tranquil life with God, such as is granted unto every saint in the kingdom of heaven. That is the home which shall have no end, and there for evermore the sinless shall possess their joy, and, clothed with light, enfolded in peace, shielded from sorrows, honoured by joys, endeared to the Saviour, shall praise the Lord, the beloved Protector of life; radiant with grace they shall enjoy in bliss the fellowship of angels, and worship the Guardian of men for ever and ever. The Father of all shall have and hold dominion over the hosts of the sanctified.