CXXX. My God, permit me not to be Why should my passions mix with earth, Call me away from flesh and sense, One sov'reign word can draw me thence: I would obey the voice divine, And all inferior joys resign. Be earth with all her scenes withdrawn, Let noise and vanity be gone; In secret silence of the mind My God, and there my Heaven I find. CXXXI. Do not I love Thee, O my Lord ? Behold my heart, and see; And turn each hateful idol out, Which dares to rival Thee. Do not I love Thee from my Then let me nothing love! soul? Dead be my heart to every joy, i Is not thy Name melodious still Doth not each pulse with pleasure bound Hast Thou a lamb in all thy flock, Hast thou a foe, before whose face Would not my ardent spirit vie With angels round the throne, To execute.thy sacred will, And make thy glory known? Would not my heart pour forth its blood And challenge the cold hand of death Thou know'st I love Thee, dearest Lord! But, oh! I long to soar, Far from the sphere of mortal joys, And learn to love Thee more. CXXXII. A SAINT! Oh, would that I could claim Would, though it were in scorn applied, In mockery to the King of Heaven. A Saint! And what imports the name Thus bandied in derision's game? "Holy, and separate from sin; "To good, nay, even to God akin." Is such the meaning of a name, From which a Christian shrinks with shame? Yes, dazzled with the glorious sight, He owns his crown is all too bright. And ill might son of Adam dare A Saint! Oh! give me but some sign, And warmer thanks Thou shalt command, Oh! for an interest in that name, How shall the name of saints be prized, Tho' now neglected and despised, When truth shall witness to the word, CXXXIII. My stock lies dead, and no increase If still the sun should hide His face, The dew doth every morning fall ; Death is still working like a mole, And digs my grave at each remove: Let grace work too, and on my soul Drop from above. Sin is still hammering my heart, Unto a hardness void of love: O come! for Thou dost know the way; CXXXIV As o'er the past my memory strays, |