He speaks; obedient to his call Our warm affections move: Did he but shine alike on all, Then all alike would love. Then love in every heart would reign, Such Jesus is, and such his grace; And tell him, when you see his face, XXXV. LIGHT SHINING OUT OF DARKNESS. GOD moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants his footsteps in the sea, Deep in unfathomable mines He treasures up his bright designs, Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take, 19 Cant. v. 8. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, grace; But trust him for his His purposes will ripen fast, The bud may have a bitter taste, Blind unbelief is sure to err 20, God is his own interpreter, 'Tis my happiness below Not to live without the cross, But the Saviour's power to know, Sanctifying every loss: Trials must and will befall; But with humble faith to see Love inscribed upon them all, This is happiness to me. God in Israel sows the seeds Of affliction, pain, and toil; These spring up and choke the weeds Which would else o'erspread the soil: Trials make the promise sweet, Trials give new life to prayer; Trials bring me to his feet, Lay me low, and keep me there. 20 John xiii. 7. Did I meet no trials here, Sunk in earthly vain delight; XXXVII. AFFLICTIONS SANCTIFIED BY THE WORD. O HOW I love thy holy word, Thy gracious covenant, O Lord! It guides me in the peaceful way; What are the mines of shining wealth, The strength of youth, the bloom of health! Long unafflicted, undismay'd, In pleasure's path secure I stray'd; What though it pierced my fainting heart, But saved me from eternal woe. Oh! hadst thou left me unchastised, 22 Psalm cxix. 71. I love thee, therefore, O my God, THE billows swell, the winds are high, Out of the depths to thee I call,— O Lord, the pilot's part perform, And guard and guide me through the storm; Amidst the roaring of the sea My soul still hangs her hope on thee; Dangers of every shape and name Though tempest-toss'd and half a wreck, XXXIX. LOOKING UPWARDS IN A STORM. GOD of my life, to thee I call, When the great water-floods prevail 23, Friend of the friendless and the faint, Did ever mourner plead with thee, That were a grief I could not bear, Fair is the lot that's cast for me; Poor though I am, despised, forgot 24, 23 Psalm lxix. 15. 24 Psalm xl. 17. |