3 How short are all my suff'rings here!
How needful ev'ry cross!
Hence then my unbelieving fear,
Nor call my gain my loss.
4. Give, gracious Lord, or take away,
I'll bless thy sacred name,
Since JESUS yesterday, to day,
And ever is the same.
194. Resignation. C.M.
Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.JOB i. 21.
NAKED as from the earth we came,
And crept to life at first,
We to the earth return again,
And mingle with our dust.
2 The dear delights we here enjoy,
And fondly call our own,
Are but short favours borrow'd
To be repaid anon.
3 'Tis God that lifts our comforts high, Ör sinks them in the grave;
He gives, and (blessed be his name!)
He takes but what he gave.
4 Peace, all our angry passions, then,
Let each rebellious sigh
Be silent at his sov'reign will,
And ev'ry murmur die.
5 If smiling mercies crown our lives,
The giver's praise we'll spread;
Nor less the love and wisdom own,
Which strike our comforts dead.
195. Resignation. C.M.
Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of GOD, commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.-1 PET. iv. 19.
O LORD, my best desire fulfil,
And help me to resign,
Life, health, and comfort, to thy will,
And make thy pleasure mine.
2 Why should I shrink at thy command,
Whose love forbids my fears?
Or tremble at thy gracious hand,
That wipes away my tears?
3 No; rather let me freely yield
What most I prize, to thee,
Who never hast a good withheld,
Or wilt withhold from me.
4 Thy favour, all my journey through,
Thou art engag'd to grant;
What else I want, or think I do,
'Tis better still to want.
5 Wisdom and mercy guide my way, Shall I resist them both?
A poor blind creature of a day,
And crush'd before the moth!
6 But ah! my inward spirit cries,
Still bind me to thy sway;
Else the next cloud that veils my skies,
Drives all these thoughts away.
196. Resignation. 8-7-7.
I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.-PSALM CXIX. 75.
WHEN the Lord rebukes his servant;
'Tis to save, and not destroy:
'Tis to make my spirit fervent:
'Tis to give me real joy:
'Tis to make me better know
That my rest is not below.
2 Shall I then repine at trials,
By my Father's love decreed?
What if God had pour'd the vials
Of his wrath upon my head!
Death of sin the wages is:
All is mercy short of this.
3 Since the Lord hath giv'n me reason, To expect a place above,
In affliction's sharpest season,
Let me own that "GoD is love;
Let me own that all he does,
From a Father's kindness flows.
4 [Shall I murmur at his dealings?
Shall I not his kindness trust?
Since he knows my frame and feelings,
And remembers I am dust:
Shall I not receive the rod,
And confess the hand of God?]
5 Hear me, Lord, in my petition : O sustain me lest I faint!
Teach me patience and submission :
Keep thy servant from complaint;
And in ev'ry trying hour,
Lord, uphold me by thy pow'r.
197. Submission.
C.M.
Be content with such things ye have: for he hath said, 1 will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.-HEB' xiii. 5.
FATHER! whate'er of earthly bliss
Thy sovereign will denies,
Accepted at thy throne of grace,
Let this petition rise:-
2 Give me a calm, a thankful heart,
From every murmur free:
The blessings of thy grace impart,
And make me live to thee.
3 Let the sweet hope that thou art mine, My life and death attend;
Thy presence thro' my journey shine, And crown my journey's end.
198. Submission. 7s.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of GOD, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.-1 PETER v. 6, 7.
WHEN, my SAVIOUR, Shall I be
Totally resigned to thee?
Poor and vile in my own eyes,
Only in thy wisdom wise,
Only guided by thy light,
Only mighty in thy might!
2 Fain 1 would my all resign,
Gladly lose my will in thine,
Careless be of things below,
Thee alone content to know;
Simple, innocent, and free,
Seeking all my bliss in thee.
3 Into sweet subjection brought,
Captivate my ev'ry thought;
Let me to thy goodness leave,
When and what is best to give:
All thy works to thee are known:
Let thy blessed will be done.
4 As thou wilt, dispose of me,
Only make me one with thee;
Make me in my life express
All the heights of holiness,
Sweetly in my spirit prove
All the depths of humble love!
|
