This Faith, in the dark Through many sharp trials of Love, That is to be pass'd In the way to the Canaan above. THE NECESSITY OF SELF-ABASEMENT. SOURCE of love, my brighter sun, Thou alone my comfort art; Hast thou left this trembling heart? In my youth thy charming eyes Frown of thine saw never then. Spouse of Christ was then my name; Thee to love, and none beside, Now of grief, and now of joy. Thou my gracious teacher wert; Conscious of no evil drift, This, I cried, is Love indeed! 'Tis the Giver, not the Gift Whence the joys I feel proceed. But soon humbled, and laid low, I perceived how I had err'd. Oh the vain conceit of man, Though the Lord is good alone! He the graces thou hast wrought Such his folly, proved, at last, 'Tis by this reproof severe, Man is to himself made known. Learn, all Earth! that feeble man, Life and power are all in God. LOVE INCREASED BY SUFFERING. "I LOVE the Lord," is still the strain Before the power of Love Divine Creation fades away; Till only God is seen to shine In all that we survey. In gulfs of aweful night we find 'Tis there he stamps the yielding mind, Flames of encircling love invest, Ah Love! my heart is in the right— To thee, it's ever new delight, Fresh causes of distress occur Nor exile I, nor prison fear; His grace in every state. Nor castle walls, nor dungeons deep, There sorrow, for his sake, is found A Saviour doubles all my joys, And sweetens all my pains, His strength in my defence employs, Consoles me and sustains. I fear no ill, resent no wrong, Nor feel a passion move, When malice whets her slanderous tongue; Such patience is in love. |