In this sequestered corner, What peace do I possess ! I live as undesigning And harmless as a child. No troubles here surprise me ; From men of pomp and splendour, HAPPY SOLITUDE-UNHAPPY MEN. My heart is easy, and my burthen light; I taste Thy goodness, and I love Thee more. There, while a solemn stillness reigns around, Thy creatures wrong Thee, O Thou Sovereign Good! Frail beauty and false honour are adored; While Thee they scorn, and trifle with Thy Word; And hunt their ruin with a zeal to die. ASPIRATIONS OF THE SOUL AFTER GOD. My Spouse in whose presence I live, And canst easily double its fires; From fear of adversity free, Transported I see Thee display Thy riches and glory divine; For Thou art as faithful as strong; My spirit and faculties fail; Oh finish what love has begun! And dwell in the soul Thou hast won! O glory in which I am lost, Too deep for the plummet of thought! On an ocean of deity tossed, I am swallowed, I sink into nought. Yet lost and absorbed as I seem, I chant to the praise of my King; And, though overwhelmed by the theme, Am happy whenever I sing. DIVINE JUSTICE AMIABLE. THOU hast no lightnings, O Thou Just! The heart, that values less its ease Pleased I could lie, concealed and lost, Not to avoid Thy wrath, Thou knowest, But lest I grieve Thy sight. Smite me, O Thou, whom I provoke ; And I will love Thee still; The well-deserved and righteous stroke Shall please me, though it kill. Am I not worthy to sustain Far from afflicting, Thou art kind; Alas! Thou sparest me again; And when Thy wrath should move, Too gentle to endure my pain, Thou sooth'st me with Thy love, I have no punishment to fear; But, ah! that smile from Thee Imparts a pang far more severe Than woe itself would be. THE TRIUMPH OF HEAVENLY LOVE DESIRED. AH! reign, wherever man is found, When every human heart is Thine. Thaw these of ice, and give us new! TRUTH AND DIVINE LOVE REJECTED BY THE WORLD. O LOVE, of pure and heavenly birth! Whence comes it, that, your power the same Or heart that makes you welcome here?— The world is proud, and cannot bear Then, let the price be what it may, I hold by nothing here below; No frowns of men can hurtful prove To souls on fire with heavenly Love! Though men and devils both condemn, No gloomy days arise from them. Ah, then! to His embrace repair; My soul, thou art no stranger there; There Love divine shall be thy guard, And peace and safety thy reward. GRATITUDE AND LOVE TO GOD. ALL are indebted much to Thee, From many a deadly snare set free, What bonds of gratitude I feel No language can declare; Spirit of Charity, dispense Drive self from every part; Charity divine, draw nigh, Break the chains in which we lie! All selfish souls, whate'er they feign, Of Love, and feel it not. O blessedness, all bliss above, We learn its name, but not its powers, THE TESTIMONY OF DIVINE ADOPTION. How happy are the new-born race; Partakers of adopting grace, How pure the bliss they share! Hid from the world and all its eyes, Within their heart the blessing lies, And conscience feels it there. The moment we believe, 'tis ours; And if we love with all our powers The God from whom it came, And if we serve with hearts sincere, 'Tis still discernible and clear, An undisputed claim. But, ah! if foul and wilful sin Stain and dishonour us within, Farewell the joy we knew ; Again the slaves of Nature's sway, The chaste and pure, who fear to grieve The gracious Spirit they receive, His work distinctly trace; Their hearts His dwelling-place. messenger of dear delight, Whose voice dispels the deepest night, Sweet peace-proclaiming Dove! With Thee at hand to soothe our pains, No wish unsatisfied remains, No task but that of Love. 'Tis Love unites what sin divides; The centre, where all bliss resides; To which the soul once brought, Reclining on the first great Cause, From His abounding sweetness draws Peace passing human thought. Sorrow foregoes its nature there, In sacred sure repose. GOD HIDES HIS PEOPLE. To lay the soul that loves him low The children of the skies. Man, though a worm, would yet be great; Though feeble, would seem strong; Strange the reverse, which, once abased, Scorn'd by the thoughtless and the vain, Oh welcome, in his heart he says, But will not scandal mar the good Ah, vainly anxious !-leave the Lord He draws from human littleness Down then with self-exalting thoughts! No longer, then, thou wilt encroach And He shall smile at thy approach, SELF-DIFFIDENCE. SOURCE of love, and light of day, Is it thus that I requite Can I grieve Thee, whom I love; Oh! the oppressive, irksome weight, |