TRUST IN GOD UNDER AFFLICTION.

I

O GOD! the cov❜nant of thy love
Abides for ever sure;

We in its matchless mercy feel
Our happiness secure.

II

What though we want the health or ease
Which nature may desire?

To nobler joys than nature gives,
Thy servants all aspire.

III

Since thou, the everlasting GOD!
Our father art become;

And in the gospel bid'st us hope
That heav'n shall be our home:

IV

We welcome all thy sov'reign will;
For all that will is love:

And, when we do not know thy law,
We'll trust for light above.

V

Thy mercy, in the darkest gloom
Shall heavn❜ly rays impart;

And, when our eye-lids close in death,
Shall warm our trembling heart.

CHRISTIAN FORTITUDE.

I

TAKE Courage now, while GOD is near;
What enemy have we to fear?
How can we want a sure defence,
Whose refuge is omnipotence?

II

Though thickest dangers crowd our way,
Our GOD can chase our fears away :
Our feeble faith on him relies,
And all those dangers still defies.

III

Though billows after billows roll,
To overwhelm our sinking soul;
Firm as a rock we still shall stand,
Upheld by GOD's almighty hand.

IV

In life, his presence is our aid;
In death, 'twill guide us through the shade ;
Chase all our rising fears away,

And turn our darkness into day.

RESIGNATION IN AFFLICTION.

.I

NAKED, as from the earth we came,
And rose to life at first,
We to the earth return again,
And mingle with the dust.

II

The dear delights we here enjoy,
And call our own in vain,

Are but short pleasures borrow'd now,
To be repaid again.

'Tis GOD bestows our greatest joys,
Or sinks them in the grave;
He gives, and, blessed be his name!
He takes but what he gave.

IV

Peace, then, ye restless passions, peace

Let each repining sigh

Be silent at his sov'reign will;

And ev'ry murmur die.

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SUBMISSION TO GOD UNDER AFFLICTION.

I

PEACE, my complaining, doubting heart!
Ye busy cares, be still!

Adore the just, the sov'reign LORD,
Nor murmur at his will.

II

Unerring wisdom guides his hand;
Nor dares my guilty fear,
Amid the sharpest pains I feel,
Pronounce his hand severe.

III

To soften ev'ry painful stroke,
Indulgent mercy bends,
And unrepining when I plead,
His gracious car attends.

IV

Let me reflect with humble awe

Whene'er my heart complains; Compar'd with what my sins deserve, How gentle are my pains!

V

Yes, LORD! I own thy sov'reign hand,
Thou just, and wise, and kind!
Be ev'ry anxious thought supprest,
And my whole heart resign'd.

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BENEFIT OF AFFLICTION.

I

LORD! I have found 'tis good for me
To bear thy chast❜ning rod;
Afflictions make me learn thy law,
And turn to thee, my GOD!

II

Had not thy word been my delight,
When earthly joys were fled,
My spirit, broke with sorrow's weight,
Had sunk among the dead,

III

Consider all my sorrows, LORD!
And thy deliv'rance send :
My heart for thy salvation faints;
When will my troubles end?

IV

I know thy judgments, LORD! are right,
Though they may seem severe :
The sharpest suff'rings I endure
Flow from thy faithful care.

V

Before I knew thy chast'ning rod,

I oft' was apt to stray;

But now I'm taught to keep thy word,
Nor wander from thy way.