The calm retreat, the silent shade, There, if thy Spirit touch the soul, And grace her mean abode, Oh! with what peace, and joy, and love, She communes with her God! There like the nightingale she pours Her solitary lays; Nor asks a witness of her song, Nor thirsts for human praise. Author and guardian of my life, What thanks I owe thee, and what love Shall echo through the realms above, XLVIII. THE HIDDEN LIFE To tell the Saviour all my wants, My labouring spirit vainly seeks To tell but half the joy, With how much tenderness he speaks, And helps me to reply. Nor were it wise, nor should I choose, Such secrets to declare; Like precious wines their taste they lose, Exposed to open air. But this with boldness I proclaim, Nor care if thousands hear, Sweet is the ointment of his name, And can you frown, my former friends, Who knew what once I was, And blame the song that thus commends Trust me, I draw the likeness true, Such honour may he give to you, XLIX. JOY AND PEACE IN BELIEVING SOMETIMES a light surprises The Christian while he sings; In holy contemplation It can bring with it nothing Will give his children bread. Though vine nor fig-tree neither Yet, God the same abiding, I cannot but rejoice. L. TRUE PLEASURES LORD, my soul with pleasure springs Still delighted I perceive; Clothed in sanctity and grace, Those who love thee as they pass, What we owe to love divine; Those the comforts I possess, LI. THE CHRISTIAN HONOUR and happiness unite To make the Christian's name a praise; How fair the scene, how clear the light, That fills the remnant of his days! A kingly character he bears, No change his priestly office knows; Unfading is the crown he wears, His joys can never reach a close. Adorned with glory from on high, His steps are dignity and grace. Inferior honours he disdains, Nor stoops to take applause from earth; The noblest creature seen below, My soul is ravished at the thought! And shout him welcome to the skies' LII. LIVELY HOPE AND GRACIOUS FEAR I WAS a grovelling creature once, I wanted spirit to renounce But God has breathed upon a worm, Wings such as clothe an angel's form, With these to Pisgah's top I fly, The Lord of all the vast domain The length and breadth of all the plain How glorious is my privilege! I stand upon a mountain's edge, Though much exalted in the Lord, Should not Elijah's cake and cruse His saints and servants shall be fed, "Bread shall be given them," he has said, "Their water shall be sure." Repasts far richer they shall prove To Jesus then your trouble bring, While you are poor and He is King, LIV. MY SOUL THIRSTETH FOR GOD I THIRST, but not as once I did The vain delights of earth to share; Thy wounds, Emmanuel, all forbid That I should seek my pleasures there. It was the sight of thy dear cross First weaned my soul from earthly things; And taught me to esteem as dross The mirth of fools and pomp of kings. I want that grace that springs from thee, |