LORD, 'tis an infinite delight To see thy lovely face, To dwell whole ages in thy sight, And feel thy vital rays. This Gabriel knows; and sings thy name With rapture on his tongue; Moses, the saint, enjoys the same, And Heaven repeats the song. While the bright nation sounds thy praise From each eternal hill, Sweet odours of exhaling grace The happy region fill. Thy love, a sea without a shore, Show me thy face, and I'll away From all inferior things; Speak, Lord, and here I quit my clay, And stretch my airy wings. Sweet was the journey to the sky 'Climb up the mount,' says God, and die:'The prophet climb'd and died. Softly his fainting head he lay In God's own arms he left the breath LONGING FOR HIS RETURN: O 'TWAS a mournful parting day! Farewell! at once he left the ground, Round the creation wild I rove, And search the globe in vain; There's nothing here that's worth my love, My passions fly to seek their King, With inward pain my heart-strings sound, Dear Sovereign, whirl the seasons round, HOPE IN DARKNESS. YET, gracious God, 1694. Yet will I seek thy smiling face; What though a short eclipse his beauties shroud, And bar the influence of his rays; 'Tis but a morning vapour, or a summer cloud: He is my Sun though he refuse to shine, Though for a moment he depart, I dwell for ever on his heart, For ever he on mine. Early before the light arise Ill spring a thought away to God; Dear Sovereign, hear thy servant pray, Or shall I breathe in vain, and pant my hours away? Break,glorious Brightness, through the gloomy veil, Look how the armies of despair Aloft their sooty banners rear Round my poor captive soul, and dare Pronounce me prisoner of hell. But Thou, my Sun, and Thou, my Shield, Wilt save me in the bloody field; [ray, Break, glorious Brightness, shoot one glimmering One glance of thine creates a day, And drives the troops of hell away. Happy the times, but ah! those times are gone, When wondrous power and radiant grace Round the tall arches of the temple shone, And loud Hosannas sounded the Redeemer's praise. (And point the place whereon I stood) The Conqueror spread The banner of his love. Then why my heart sunk down so low? And hopeless nature mourn? Through the displeasure of his face, A father's love may raise a frown COME LORD JESUS. WHEN shall thy lovely face be seen? Our months are ages of delay, And slowly every minute wears; Fly, winged time, and roll away These tedious rounds of sluggish years. Ye heavenly gates, loose all your chains, Hark, how thy saints unite their cries, Thou, the Desire of nations, come. |