Restraining prayer, we cease to fight;
Prayer makes the Christian's armour bright;
And Satan trembles when he sees

The weakest saint upon his knees.

While Moses stood with arms spread wide,
Success was found on Israel's side;
But when through weariness they failed,
That moment Amalek prevailed.

Have you no words? Ah! think again,
Words flow apace when you complain,
And fill your fellow-creature's ear
With the sad tale of all your care.

Were half the breath thus vainly spent
To Heaven in supplication sent,
Your cheerful song would oftener be,
"Hear what the Lord has done for me."

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,
Majestic like the sun;

It gives a light to every age,
It gives, but borrows none.

The hand that gave it still supplies
The gracious light and heat;
His truths upon the nations rise,
They rise, but never set.

Let everlasting thanks be thine
For such a bright display

As makes a world of darkness shine
With beams of heavenly day.

My soul rejoices to pursue
The steps of him I love,

Till glory break upon my view
In brighter worlds above.

XXXI. ON THE DEATH OF A MINISTER

His master taken from his head,
Elisha saw him go;

And in desponding accents said,
"Ah, what must Israel do?"

But he forgot the Lord who lifts
The beggar to the throne;
Nor knew that all Elijah's gifts
Would soon be made his own.

What! when a Paul has run his course,
Or when Apollos dies,

Is Israel left without resource?
And have we no supplies?

Yes, while the dear Redeemer lives,
We have a boundless store,

And shall be fed with what he gives
Who lives for evermore.

XXXII. THE SHINING LIGHT

My former hopes are fled,
My terror now begins;
I feel, alas! that I am dead
In trespasses and sins.

Ah, whither shall I fly?

I hear the thunder roar;
The law proclaims destruction nigh,
And vengeance at the door.

When I review my ways,
I dread impending doom:
But sure a friendly whisper says,
"Flee from the wrath to come."

I see, or think I see,

A glimmering from afar;

A beam of day, that shines for me,
To save me from despair.

Forerunner of the sun,

It marks the pilgrim's way;
I'll gaze upon it while I run,
And watch the rising day.

XXXIII. THE WAITING SOUL

BREATHE from the gentle south, O Lord,
And cheer me from the north;
Blow on the treasures of thy word,
And call the spices forth!

✓ XXXIV. SEEKING THE BELOVED

To those who know the Lord I speak ;
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 has known.

Grace flies before, and love attends
His steps where'er he goes;

Though none can see him but his friends,
And they were once his foes.

He speaks; obedient to his call
Our warm affections move:
Did he but shine alike on all,
Then all alike would love.

Then love in every heart would reign,
And war would cease to roar;
And cruel and bloodthirsty men
Would thirst for blood no more.

Such Jesus is, and such his grace;
Oh, may he shine on you!

And tell him, when you see his face,
I long to see him too.

XXXV. LIGHT SHINING OUT OF DARKNESS

GOD moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill

He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain :
God is his own interpreter,

And he will make it plain.

XXXVI. WELCOME CROSS

'Tis my happiness below

Not to live without the cross,
But the Saviour's power to know,
Sanctifying every loss:
Trials must and will befall;

But with humble faith to see
Love inscribed upon them all,
This is happiness to me.

God in Israel sows the seeds

Of affliction, pain, and toil;
These spring up and choke the weeds
Which would else o'erspread the soil:
Trials make the promise sweet,

Trials give new life to prayer;

Trials bring me to his feet,

Lay me low, and keep me there.

Did I meet no trials here,

No chastisement by the way,
Might I not with reason fear
I should prove a castaway?
Bastards may escape the rod,
Sunk in earthly vain delight:
But the true-born child of God

Must not, would not, if he might.

XXXVII. AFFLICTIONS SANCTIFIED BY THE WORD

Он, how I love thy holy word,
Thy gracious covenant, O Lord!
It guides me in the peaceful way;
I think upon it all the day.