My Saviour! occupy me still Let reason slumber if she will, Let reason slumber out the night; My soul the abode of truth and light, THE JOY OF THE CROSS. LONG plunged in sorrow, I resign That hand shall wipe my streaming eyes; Transform the falling tear. My sole possession is thy love; And though with fervent suit I pray, My rapid hours pursue the course And I thy sovereign will, Without a wish to escape my doom; Though still a sufferer from the womb, By thy command, where'er I stray, And if my sufferings may augment Thy praise, behold me well content- It costs me no regret, that she, Who follow'd Christ, should follow me; Adieu! ye vain delights of earth; The cross! Oh ravishment and bliss- Its bitterness how sweet! There every sense, and all the mind, Tastes happiness complete. Souls once enabled to disdain The fever of desire is pass'd, And love has all its genuine taste, Self-love no grace in sorrow sees, In suffering her repose. Sorrow and love go side by side; Jesus, avenger of our fall, Thy choice and mine shall be the same Inspirer of that holy flame, Which must for ever blaze! To take the cross and follow thee, Full many a note of ours, That wise ones cannot learn, With all their boasted powers. O thou! whose sacred charms This heart, that cannot rest, Shall thine for ever prove; Though bleeding and distress'd, Yet joyful in thy love: 'Tis happy, though it breaks Beneath thy chastening hand; And speechless, yet it speaks What thou canst understand. SIMPLE TRUST. STILL, still, without ceasing, And often exclaim, Let me die in the flame Of a love that can never expire! Had I words to explain What she must sustain Who dies to the world and its ways; How joy and affright, Distress and delight, Alternately chequer her days. Thou, sweetly severe ! I would make thee appear, Than the bitter I meet, This faith, in the dark Through many sharp trials of love; Is the sorrowful waste That is to be pass'd In the way to the Canaan above. |