What trifles tease me now! How dull the Sabbath day, ; How toilsome then to sing and pray, Of all the truths I hear, Yet let me (as I ought) Still hope to be supplied; No pleasure else is worth a thought, Though I am but a worm, Unworthy of his care, The Lord will my desire perform, DEAR Lord! accept a sinful heart, Which of itself complains, And mourns, with much and frequent smart, The evil it contains. There fiery seeds of anger lurk, Which often hurt my frame; And wait but for the tempter's work, Legality holds out a bribe To purchase life from thee; While Unbelief withstands thy grace, How eager are my thoughts to roam But ah! when duty calls them home, Oh, cleanse me in a Saviour's blood, XLIV. PRAYER FOR PATIENCE. LORD, who hast suffer'd all for me, I would in humble silence mourn; Man should not faint at thy rebuke, Like Joshua falling on his face 26, When the cursed thing that Achan took Brought Israel into just disgrace. 26 Joshua vii. 10, 11 Perhaps some golden wedge suppress'd, Mock'd, crown'd with thorns, and spit upon, I yet should have no right to say, My great distress is mine alone. Let me not angrily declare No pain was ever sharp like mine, Nor murmur at the cross I bear, But rather weep, remembering thine. O LORD, my best desire fulfill, And help me to resign Life, health, and comfort to thy will, Why should I shrink at thy command, Or tremble at the gracious hand No, rather let me freely yield Thy favour, all my journey through, What else I want, or think I do, Wisdom and mercy guide my way, And crush'd before the moth! But ah! my inward spirit cries, Else the next cloud that veils the skies XLVI. THE HAPPY CHANGE. How bless'd thy creature is, O God, He views the lustre of thy word, Through all the storms that veil the skies Struck by that light, the human heart, A barren soil no more, Sends the sweet smell of grace abroad, The soul, a dreary province once The glorious orb whose golden beams He started from the goal, 27 Isaiah xxxv. 7. Has cheer'd the nations with the joys His orient rays impart; But, Jesus, 'tis thy light alone Can shine upon the heart. FAR from the world, O Lord, I flee, The calm retreat, the silent shade, There if thy Spirit touch the soul, Oh, with what peace, and joy, and love, There like the nightingale she pours Her solitary lays; Nor asks a witness of her song, Nor thirsts for human praise. Author and guardian of my life, What thanks I owe thee, and what love, A boundless, endless store, Shall echo through the realms above When time shall be no more. |