Salvation to the dying Man, And while thy bleeding glories here We learn our lighter cross to bear, XXIX.-EXHORTATION TO PRAYER. WHAT various hindrances we meet Yet who that knows the worth of prayer, Prayer makes the darkened cloud withdraw, Gives exercise to faith and love, Brings every blessing from above. Restraining prayer, we cease to fight; Prayer makes the Christian's armour bright; The weakest saint upon his knees. While Moses stood with arms spread wide, Have you no words? Ah! think again, Were half the breath thus vainly spent Your cheerful song would oftener be, XXX.-THE LIGHT AND GLORY OF THE WORD. THE Spirit breathes upon the word, And brings the truth to sight; Precepts and promises afford A sanctifying light. A glory gilds the sacred page, It gives a light to every age, The hand that gave it still supplies His truths upon the nations rise, Let everlasting thanks be thine, My soul rejoices to pursue XXXI.-ON THE DEATH OF A MINISTER. His master taken from his head, And in desponding accents said, But he forgot the Lord who lifts What! when a Paul has run his course, Is Israel left without resource, And have we no supplies? Yes, while the dear Redeemer lives, And shall be fed with what he gives, XXXII. THE SHINING LIGHT. My former hopes are fled, My terror now begins; Ah, whither shall I fly? The law proclaims destruction nigh, When I review my ways, But sure a friendly whisper says, I see, or think I see, A glimmering from afar ; A beam of day, that shines for me, It marks the pilgrim's way; XXXIII. THE WAITING SOUL.1 I wish, Thou knowest, to be resigned, Help me to reach the distant goal; Confirm my feeble knee; Pity the sickness of a soul That faints for love of thee! Cold as I feel this heart of mine, I seem forsaken and alone, I hear the lion roar ; And every door is shut but one, There, till the dear Deliverer come, XXXIV.-SEEKING THE BELOVED. Is my beloved near? The bridegroom of my soul I seek, Oh, when will he appear? Though once a man of grief and shame, Yet now he fills a throne, And bears the greatest, sweetest name, That earth or heaven have known. 1 This Hymn, which has not been marked as Cowper's in the Olney Collection, and consequently not included in any edition of his works, is here restored to him on the authority of Mrs. Johnson, the widow of his excellent kinsman. # Grace flies before, and love attends He speaks ;-obedient to his call Then love in every heart would reign, Such Jesus is, and such his grace; XXXV.-LIGHT SHINING OUT OF DARKNESS. GOD moves in a mysterious way Deep in unfathomable mines He treasures up his bright designs, Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take, Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, grace; Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face. His purposes will ripen fast, Blind unbelief is sure to err, God is his own interpreter, XXXVI. WELCOME CROSS. 'Tis my happiness below Not to live without the cross, But the Saviour's power to know, Trials must and will befall; But with humble faith to see God in Israel sows the seeds Of affliction, pain, and toil; Trials give new life to prayer; Lay me low, and keep me there. Did I meet no trials here, No chastisement by the way, Must not, would not, if he might. XXXVII.-AFFLICTIONS SANCTIFIED BY THE WORD. OH, how I love thy holy word, It guides me in the peaceful way; What are the mines of shining wealth, The strength of youth, the bloom of health! What are all joys compared with those Long unafflicted, undismayed, What though it pierced my fainting heart, Oh! hadst thou left me unchastised, I love thee, therefore, O my God, |