And make the facred love of thee,
Within my foul, a fun to me.
Let it fhine fo fairly bright,-
That nothing else be took for light;
That worldly charms be seen to fade,
And in its luftre find a fhade;
Let it strongly shine within,
To scatter all the clouds of fin,
That drive when gufts of paffions rife,
And intercept it from our eyes.
Let its glory more than vie
With the fun that lights the sky,
Let it fwiftly mount in air,
Mount with that and leave it there;
And foar with more afpiring flight,
To realms of everlasting light.
Thus while here I'm forc'd to be,
I daily wish to live with thee;
And feel that union which thy love
Will, after death, complete above.
From my foul I fend my prayer,
Great Creator, bow thine ear;
Thou, for whofe propitious fway
The world was taught to see the day;
Who fpake the word, and earth begun,
And fhew'd its beauties in the fun;
With pleasure I thy creatures view,
And would with good affection too;
Good affection fweetly free,
Loofe from them, and move to thee;
O! teach me due returns to give,
And to thy glory let me live;
And then my days fhall fine the more,
Or pass more bleffed than before.
HYMN FOR EVENING.
THE beam repelling mifts arise,
And Evening fpreads obfcurer skies!
The twilight will the night forerun,
And night itself be foon begun.
Upon thy knees devoutly bow,
And pray the God of Glory now,
To fill thy breast, or deadly fin
May caufe a blinder night within.
And whether pleafing vapours rife,
Which gently dim the closing eyes;
Which make the weary members bleft,
With sweet refreshment in their reft;
Or whether spirits in the brain
Difpel their foft embrace again;
And on my watchful bed I stay,
Forfook by sleep, and waiting day;
Be God for ever in my view,
And never he forfake me too;
But ftill as day concludes in night,
To break again the new-born' light;
His wond'rous bounty let me find,
With ftill a more enlighten'd mind;
When grace and love in one agree,
Grace from God and love from me;
Grace that will from Heaven infpire,
Love that fteals it in desire :
Grace and love that mingle beams,
And fill me with increafing flames.
Thou that haft thy palace far
Above the moon and every ftar,
Thou that fittest on a throne
To which the night was never known,
-Regard my voice and make me blest,
By kindly granting its request;
If thoughts on thee my foul employ,
My darkness will afford me joy
Till thou shalt call, and I fhall foar,
And part with darkness evermore.
FAR from mankind, my weary foul retire,
Still follow truth, contentment ftill defire.
Who climbs on high, at best his weakness shews,
Who rolls in riches, all to Fortune owes.
Read well thyself, and mark thy early ways,
Vain is the Mufe, and Envy waits on Praise.
Wav'ring as winds the breath of fortune blows,
No power can turn it, and no pray'rs compofe.
Deep in fome hermit's folitary cell,
Repofe, and eafe, and contemplation dwell.
Let confcience guide thee in the days of need;
Judge well thy own, and then thy neighbour's deed.
What Heav'n bestows with thankful eyes receive; Firft afk thy heart, and then thro' faith believe. Slowly we wander o'er a toilfome way, Shadows of life, and pilgrims of a day. "Who wrestles in this world, receives a fall; "Look up on high, and thank thy God for all " HARTE.
CREATOR Spirit, by whofe aid
The world's foundations first were laid,
Come vifit every pious mind,
Come pour thy joys on human kind;
From fin and forrow fet us free,
And make thy temples worthy thee.
O Source of uncreated light,
The Father's promis'd Paraclete!
Thrice holy fount, thrice holy fire,
Our hearts with heavenly love inspire;
Come, and thy facred unction bring
To fanctify us, while we fing.
Plenteous of grace, descend from high,
Rich in thy fevenfold energy!
Thou ftrength of his Almighty hand,
Whofe power does heaven and earth command;
Proceeding Spirit, our defence,
Who doft the gift of tongues difpenfe,
And crown'ft the gift with eloquence.
Refine and purge our earthly parts;
But, oh, inflame and fire our hearts!
|