Dear Lord, forgive my rash complaint, Against my froward will; Unveil thy beauties, though I faint. My heart shall all be love, my Jesus all delight. LOVE TO CHRIST, PRESENT OR ABSENT. Or all the joys we mortals know, Sweet are my thoughts, and soft my cares, In all my hopes, and all my fears, There's something kind and pleasing still. While I am held in his embrace There's not a thought attempts to rove: Each smile he wears upon his face Fixes, and charms, and fires my love. He speaks, and straight immortal joys Run through my ears, and reach my heart; If he withdraw a moment's space, While of his absence I complain, And long, and weep, as lovers do; There's a strange pleasure in the pain, And tears have their own sweetness too. When round his courts by day I rove, Jesus, my God! yet rather come; THE ABSENCE OF CHRIST. COME, lead me to some lofty shade VOL. XXIH. "Tis no mean beauty of the ground Jesus, the spring of all that's bright, The Everlasting Fair, Heaven's Ornament, and Heaven's Delight, Is my Eternal Care. But, ah! how far above this grove Pensive I climb the sacred hills, I murmur to the hollow vale, My passion breathes perpetual sighs, DESIRING HIS DESCENT TO EARTH. JESUS, I love. Come, dearest name, O! if my Lord would leave the skies, To meet the pleasures of his face. How would I feast on all his charms, Then round his lovely feet entwine! Worship and love, in all their forms, Should honour beauty so divine. In vain the tempter's flattering tongue, Till I were all transform'd to love. Then, mighty God! I'd sing and say, What empty names are crowns and kings! Amongst them give these worlds away, These little despicable things.' I would not ask to climb the sky, I have a heaven, as bright and high, ASCENDING TO HIM IN HEAVEN". 'Tis pure delight, without alloy, Jesus, to hear thy name; My spirit leaps with inward joy, My passions hold a pleasing reign, This is the grace must live and sing, Let life immortal seize my clay; Swift I ascend the heavenly place, Sink down, ye separating hills, 'Tis love that drives my chariot-wheels, |