Oh! let me then at length be taught What I am still so slow to learn, That God is love, and changes not, Nor knows the shadow of a turn. Sweet truth, and easy to repeat! Unskilful, weak, and apt to slide. But, O my Lord, one look from Thee Thou, therefore, all the praise receive; XLI. MOURNING AND LONGING. THE Saviour hides His face; My spirit thirsts to prove Renew'd supplies of pardoning grace, And never-fading love. The favour'd souls who know What glories shine in Him, Pant for His presence as the roe Pants for the living stream. What trifles tease me now! They swarm like summer flies; They cleave to everything I do, And swim before my eyes. How dull the Sabbath day, Without the Sabbath's Lord! How toilsome then to sing and pray, And wait upon the Word! Of all the truths I hear, Yet let me (as I ought) No pleasure else is worth a thought, Though I am but a worm, The Lord will my desire perform, XLII. SELF-ACQUAINTANCE. DEAR Lord! accept a sinful heart, And mourns, with much and frequent smart, There fiery seeds of anger lurk, Legality holds out a bribe 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, XLIII. PRAYER FOR PATIENCE. LORD, who hast suffer'd all for me, The storm of loud repining hush; I would in humble silence mourn; Why should the unburnt, though burning bush, Man should not faint at Thy rebuke, Perhaps some golden wedge suppress'd, Ah! were I buffeted all day, 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. XLIV. SUBMISSION. O LORD, my best desire fulfil, Life, health, and comfort to Thy will, Why should I shrink at Thy command, No, rather let me freely yield Thy favour, all my journey through, Wisdom and mercy guide my way, A poor blind creature of a day, * Joshua vii. 10, 11. But ah! my inward spirit cries, Else the next cloud that veils the skies XLV. 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 With healing on His wings. Struck by that light, the human heart, Sends the sweet smell of grace abroad, Feels a new empire form'd within, The glorious orb whose golden beams Since first obedient to Thy Word, Has cheer'd the nations with the joys But, Jesus, 'tis Thy light alone Can shine upon the heart. XLVI. RETIREMENT. 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, * Isaiah xxxv. 7. There like the nightingale she pours Nor asks a witness of her song, What thanks I owe Thee, and what love, Shall echo through the realms above, XLVII. THE HIDDEN LIFE. To tell the Saviour all my wants, Nor less to praise Him when He grants My labouring spirit vainly seeks With how much tenderness He speaks, Nor were it wise, nor should I choose, Like precious wines their taste they lose, But this with boldness I proclaim, Nor care if thousands hear, Sweet is the ointment of His name, Not life is half so dear. And can you frown, my former friends, And blame the song that thus commends Trust me, I draw the likeness true, Such honour may He give to you, XLVIII. JOY AND PEACE IN BELIEVING. SOMETIMES a light surprises The Christian while he sings; It is the Lord who rises With healing on His wings: |