Or lose one glimpse of Heaven before the time. Renew'd in every pulse That on the tedious Cross Told the long hours of death, as, one by one, Look Sorrow in the face, And bid her freely welcome, unbeguil'd For when was Joy so dear, As the deep calm that breath'd, “ Father, forgive," Or, "Be with me in Paradise to-day?" And though the strife be sore, Yet in His parting breath Love masters Agony; the soul that seem'd And in her Father's arms Contented dies away. WEDNESDAY BEFORE EASTER. Saying, Father, if thon be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. St. Luke xxii. 42. O LORD my God, do Thou thy holy will- I will not stir, lest I forsake thine arm, Which lulls me, clinging to my Father's breast, Wild Fancy, peace! thou must not me beguile I know thy flatteries and thy cheating ways; Blind guide with siren voice, and blinding all Come, Self-devotion, high and pure, And let me kiss thy placid cheek, Their blessing, who by faith can wean Their hearts from sense, and learn to love God only, and the joys above. They say, who know the life divine, Which for our Lord's redeem'd is set, All gemm'd with pure and living light, that little coronet or special reward which God hath prepared (extraordinary and besides the great Crown of all faithful souls) for those "who have not defiled themselves with women, but follow the (virgin) Lamb for ever." Bp. Taylor, Holy Living, c. xi. sect. 3. Prepar'd for virgin souls, and them Nor deem, who to that bliss aspire, Must win their way through blood and fire. Are fiercer than a foeman's dart. And there are souls that seem to dwell Floats round their steps, where'er they move, Such, if on high their thoughts are set, By purest pleasures unbeguil'd Such wedded souls our God shall own For faultless virgins round His throne. Thus every where we find our suffering God, May set our steps: the Cross on Calvary Beams on the martyr host, a beacon light To the still wrestlings of the lonely heart The virtue of His midnight agony, When none was nigh, Save God and one good angel, to assuage Mortal! if life smile on thee, and thou find Think, who did once from Heaven to Hell descend So shalt thou dare forego, at His dear call, |