Chapter 4

Though plagued with care, Yet ne'er despair! Thy Brother ne'er Thy misery disdaineth; His gracious heart Feels every smart, Nor when He sees Our woe, from tears refraineth.

To Him now go, He'll help bestow And rest, and thou Good cause shalt have for blessing. Full well He knows What burns and glows, What on the heart Of each sick one is pressing.

He therefore bore The wrath so sore Of the dread cross In His flesh, shrinking never, That through His pain He might retain The memory Of our distresses ever.

The gate is He That leadeth me To present joy, And to eternal blessing. He soon doth send A happy end To all the grief On pious heart that's pressing.

The world's base pelf Leave to itself, And make thou sure, This treasure thine remaineth. It firmly keep Nor let it slip, It there a crown For soul and body gaineth!

BESIDE THE MANGER.

Now at the manger here I stand, My Jesus, Life from Heaven! I stand, and bring Thee in my hand What Thou to me hast given. Take it, it is my mind and wit, Heart, soul, and all I have, take it, And deign to let it please Thee!

With Thy great love beyond compare, My soul Thou fillest ever, Thy glance so sweet, Thine image fair, My heart forgetteth never. How otherwise e'er could it be, How could I ever banish Thee, From my heart's throne, O Saviour!

Ere ever I began to be, Thou hadst for me appearèd, And as Thine own hadst chosen me Ere Thee I knew or fearèd. Before I by Thy hand was made, Thou hadst the plan in order laid, How Thou Thyself shouldst give me.

I lay still in death's deepest night, Till Thou, my Sun, arising, Didst bring joy, pleasure, life, and light, My waken'd soul surprising. O Sun! who dost so graciously Faith's goodly light to dawn in me Aye cause; Thy beams how beauteous!

With rapture do I gaze on Thee, Ne'er can enough adore Thee, Pow'r more to do is not in me, I'll praise and bow before Thee. Oh! that my mind were an abyss, My soul a sea, wide, bottomless, That so I might embrace Thee.

Oh! let me kiss that mouth of Thine, My Jesus, Saviour gracious! Thy mouth that e'en the sweetest wine, And milk and honey precious, In pow'r and virtue doth excel, Of comfort, strength, and sap 'tis full, And inwardly refreshes.

When oft my heart within doth cry, No comfort can discover, It calls to me, Thy friend am I, Thine ev'ry sin I cover; My flesh and bone, why mournest thou? Let thy heart be of good cheer now, Thy debt, I have discharg'd it.

Who is the Master, where is he, Who in perfection sketcheth The hands this infant dear to me Now smilingly outstretcheth? The snow is clear, and milk is white, But both lose all their value quite Before these hands so beauteous.

Oh! wisdom fails me utterly For honouring and praising The eyes this infant fixedly To mine is ever raising. The fall moon, it is clear and fair, The golden stars most beauteous are, But these eyes far excel them.

Oh! that a star so passing fair Should in a crib be holden! Who mighty nobles' children are Should lie in cradles golden! Ah! hay and straw too wretched are, Silk, velvet, purple better far, Were for Thee, Child! to lie on.

Remove the straw, remove the hay, From where the child reposes, And flow'rs I'll bring that lie He may On violets and roses. With tulips, pinks, and rosemary, From goodly gardens pluck'd by me, I'll from above bestrew Him.

And snow-white lilies here and there His side shall be thrown over; When closed His eyes with slumber are, Them shall they softly cover. But Thou mayest love the grass so dry, My Child! more than the things that I Have spoken or have thought of.

Not for the world's pride dost Thou care, Nor joys the flesh doth offer; In human form Thou liest there, For us to do and suffer, Seek'st joy and comfort for my soul, While waves of trouble o'er Thee roll; I never will Thee hinder.

One thing I hope Thou'lt grant to me, My Saviour! ne'er deny me, That I may evermore have Thee Within, and on, and by me. And let my heart Thy cradle be, Come, come and lie Thou down in me, With all Thy joys and treasures!

'Tis true, that I should think how poor And mean my entertaining, Than dust and ashes I'm no more, Thou mad'st, art all-sustaining, Yet Thou'rt a guest belov'd and priz'd, For never yet hast Thou despis'd Him who delights to see Thee!

IMMANUEL! TO THEE WE SING.

Immanuel! to Thee we sing, The Fount of life, of grace the Spring, Than fairest lily fairer far, Lord of all Lords, the morning Star! Hallelujah!

With all Thy people, Lord, we raise To Thee our heart-felt songs of praise, That Thou, O long-expected Guest! Hast brought us our desirèd rest. Hallelujah!

Since the Creator said--"Light be!" How many a heart hath watch'd for Thee! Of Fathers, Prophets, Saints the throng With ardent hope have waited long. Hallelujah!

Than others more, the Shepherd King Belov'd by Thee, and wont to sing Thy praise on sounding harp, inspir'd By deeper longing, Thee desir'd. Hallelujah!

Ah Zion! that thy Lord to thee Would come and set thy captives free; Ah! that our help would now arise And gladden Jacob's waiting eyes. Hallelujah!

There art Thou now, Thou ever-bless'd! There dost Thou in the manger rest; The world Thou deck'st, all things hast made-- Thou'rt naked there, in weakness laid. Hallelujah!

A stranger art Thou here below, To whom the Heav'ns allegiance owe; A mother's milk dost not despise, Who art the Joy of angels' eyes. Hallelujah!

The bounds of ocean fix'd hast Thou, Who art a swaddled infant now; Thou'rt God--a bed of straw Thou hast. Thou'rt man--yet art the First and Last. Hallelujah!

Of every joy Thou art the spring, Yet sorrow oft Thy heart doth wring. The Gentiles' Light and Hope Thou art, Yet findest none to soothe Thy heart. Hallelujah!

The sweetest Friend of man Thou art, Though many hate Thee in their heart! The heart of Herod loathèd Thee, Yet what art Thou? Salvation free! Hallelujah!

Thy meanest servant, Lord! am I, I say it in sincerity; I love Thee, but not half so well As I should love,--more love I'd feel. Hallelujah!

My pow'r is weak, though will be there, But my poor heart against Thee ne'er Shall rise t' oppose,--Thou wilt receive By grace the little I can give. Hallelujah!

Thou to be weak dost not disdain, Dost choose the things the world deems vain, Art poor and needy, and dost come, By love impell'd, to want's drear home! Hallelujah!

Thou sleepest on the lap of earth, The manger where Thou at Thy birth Wast laid to rest, the hay, the stall Were mean, were miserable all. Hallelujah!

And therefore doth my courage rise, Thy servant wilt Thou not despise; The gracious mind that dwells in Thee Fills me with hope and gladdens me. Hallelujah!

Lord! though I've pass'd in sin my days, And wandered far from wisdom's ways, Yet therefore Thou to earth hast come, To bring the wand'ring sinner home. Hallelujah!

Had I no debt of sin to face, How could I ever share Thy grace? In vain for me Thine advent here, Had I no wrath of God to fear. Hallelujah!

Lord, fearlessly I come to Thee, Thou keep'st my soul from anguish free; Thou bear'st the wrath, dost death destroy, And sorrow turnest into joy. Hallelujah!

My Head Thou art, Thy member I In turn am, and Thy property; Lord, I will serve Thee while I live With all the grace Thou deign'st to give. Hallelujah!

Loud hallelujahs here I'll sing, With joy that from my heart doth spring, And when I reach yon mansions fair I will repeat them ever there. Hallelujah!

New Year.

OF THE CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST.

Why should they such pain e'er give Thee, Why inflict such cruel smart? Jesus, why should they so grieve Thee, Who're uncircumcis'd in heart, By this rite? Though Thou art free From the law's yoke utterly, Yet man's nature art Thou wearing, But no sin its beauty marring.

For Thyself Thou dost not bear it, Of the Cov'nant Thou art Head; 'Tis our debts that make Thee share it, That like grievous load of lead Lie upon us, and Thy heart Pierce e'en to the inmost part; These Thou bearest to deliver Us, who could have paid them never.

Let your hearts be glad, ye debtors! Let the world rejoice to-day, For the Son of God our fetters Breaks, the price begins to pay. This day is the Law fulfill'd, This day is God's anger still'd, Whom to death law did deliver, God's Son makes God's heirs for ever.

We this grace enough can never Own, nor for it grateful be; Heart and mouth, O Saviour! ever Shall exalt and honour Thee! We shall praise with all our pow'r All Thy goodness, Thee adore, While in weakness here we wander, And Thy praise re-echo yonder!

SONG.

In pray'r your voices raise ye To God, and Him now praise ye, Who to our life from heaven All needed strength hath given.

The stream of years is flowing, And we are onward going, From old to new surviving, And by His mercy thriving.

In woe we often languish, And pass through times of anguish, When fearful war aboundeth, That earth itself surroundeth.

As faithful mother keepeth Guard while her infant sleepeth, And all its grief assuageth When angry tempest rageth;

So God His children shieldeth, Them full protection yieldeth; When need and woe distress them, His loving arms caress them.

In vain is all our doing, The labour we're pursuing In our hands prospers never, Unless God watcheth ever.

Our song to Thee ascendeth, Who every day defendeth Us, and whose arm averteth The pain our hearts that hurteth.

O God of mercy! hear us; Our Father! be Thou near us; 'Mid crosses and in sadness Be Thou our Spring of gladness.

To me and all be given, Who from the heart have striven To gain Thy benediction, Hearts patient in affliction.

Oh! close the gates of sorrow, And by a glorious morrow Of peace, may places sadden'd By bloodshed dire be gladden'd.

With richest blessings crown us, In all our ways, Lord! own us; Give grace, who grace bestowest To all, e'en to the lowest.

Of all forlorn be Father, All erring ones ingather, And of the poor and needy Be Thou the succour speedy.

Grace show to all afflicted, And to all souls dejected, By melancholy haunted, May happy thoughts be granted.

All earthly gifts excelling, The Holy Ghost indwelling, Give us to make us glorious, And lead to Thee victorious.

All this Thy hand bestoweth, Thou Life! whence our life floweth, Thus Thou Thy people meetest With New Year's blessing greetest.

The Sufferings of Christ.--Good Friday.

A LAMB BEARS ALL THE GUILT AWAY.

Isa. liii. 4-7; John i. 29.

A Lamb bears all its guilt away The world thus to deliver, All sins of sinners patiently It bears and murmurs never. It goes, and weak and sick is made An off'ring on the altar laid, All pleasure it forsaketh, Submits to shame, and scorn, and wrath, To anguish, wounds, stripes, cross, and death, This cup with gladness taketh.

This Lamb, He is the soul's great Friend And everlasting Saviour, God chooseth Him sin's reign to end And bring us to His favour. "Go forth, my Son! redeem to Thee The children who're exposed by me To punishment and anger. The punishment is great, and dread The wrath, but Thou Thy blood shalt shed, And free them thus from danger."

"I'll go where, Father! thou dost send, Bear what on me Thou layest, My will doth on Thy word depend, My work is what Thou sayest." O mighty love! O wondrous love! Thou canst do all our thoughts above, Make God His Son deliver! O love! O love! Thy pow'r how great! Thou did'st Him e'en to death prostrate Whose glance the rocks can shiver.

Thou martyr'st Him upon the tree, With spear and nails destroying Thou slay'st Him, lamblike, ruthlessly, Till heart and veins are flowing, The heart with many a long-drawn sigh, And till His veins are copiously Their noble life-blood yielding. Sweet Lamb! what shall I do for Thee For all the good Thou doest me, Thus saving me and shielding?

All my life long I'll cleave to Thee And shall forget Thee never, As always Thou embracest me I will embrace Thee ever. My heart's Light Thou shalt ever be, And when my heart shall break in me Thy heart shall fail me never. O Thou, my Glory, I to Thee Myself as Thine own property Herewith resign for ever!

I ever shall both night and day Thy loveliness be singing, An offering of joy shall aye Myself to Thee be bringing. My stream of life shall still to Thee, And to Thy name, outpourèd be, In gratitude enduring. Of every good Thou doest me, My soul shall mindful strive to be, In memory securing!

Shrine of my heart! now open'd be, To thee shall now be given Fair treasures that far greater be Than earth, and sea, and heaven. Away! gold of Arabia, Myrrh, calamus, and cassia, Far better I discover! My priceless treasure is, O Thou My Jesus! what so freely now From Thy wounds floweth over!

Good use of this behoves it me At all times to be making, My shield in conflict shall it be, My joy when heart is breaking, In happiness my song of joy; When all things else my taste do cloy, This manna then shall feed me, In thirst my well-spring shall it be, In solitude converse with me, And out and in shall lead me!

What can death's poison do to me? Thy blood to me life giveth, And when the sun burns fervently, With grateful shade relieveth; And when with sorrow sore oppress'd I ever find in it my rest, As sick men on their pillows. My anchor art Thou, when my skies Are clouded o'er, and tempests rise, My bark 'whelm in the billows.

And when at last heav'n's gate I see, And taste the kingdom's pleasure, This blood shall then my purple be, I'll clothe me in this treasure; It shall be then my glorious crown, In which I'll stand before the throne Of God, with none to blame me; And as a bride in fair array, I'll stand beside my Lord that day, Who woo'd, and then will claim me.

SEE, WORLD! THY LIFE ASSAILED.

See, world! thy Life assailèd; On the accurs'd tree nailèd, Thy Saviour sinks in death! The mighty Prince from Heaven Himself hath freely given To shame, and blows, and cruel wrath!

Come hither now and ponder, 'Twill fill thy soul with wonder, Blood streams from every pore. Through grief whose depth none knoweth, From His great heart there floweth Sigh after sigh of anguish o'er!

Who is it that afflicts Thee? My Saviour, what dejects Thee, And causeth all Thy woe? Sin Thou committed'st never, As we and our seed ever, Of deeds of evil nought dost know.

I many times transgressing, In number far surpassing The sand upon the coast, I thus the cause have given, That Thou with grief art riven, And the afflicted martyr host.

I've done it, and deliver Me hand and foot for ever Thou justly might'st to hell. The mock'ry to Thee offer'd, The scourging Thou hast suffer'd, My soul it was deserv'd it well.

The load Thou takest on Thee, That press'd so sorely on me, Than stone more heavily. A curse, Lord, Thou becamest, Thus blessings for me claimest, Thy pain must all my comfort be.

Not death itself Thou fearest, As surety Thou appearest For all my debts and me. For me Thy brow is crownèd With thorns, and Thou'rt disownèd By men, and bear'st all patiently.

Into death's jaws Thou springest, Deliv'rance to me bringest From such a monster dire. My death away Thou takest, Thy grave its grave Thou makest; Of love, O unexampled fire!

I'm bound, my Saviour, ever, By ties most sacred never Thy service to forsake; With soul and body ever, With all my pow'rs t' endeavour, In praise and service joy to take.

Not much can I be giving In this poor life I'm living, But one thing do I say: Thy death and sorrows ever, Till soul from body sever, My heart remember shall for aye.

Before mine eyes I'll place them, And joyfully embrace them, Wherever I may be, They'll be a glass revealing Pure innocence, and sealing Love and unfeign'd sincerity.

Of sin how great the danger, How it excites God's anger, How doth His vengeance burn How sternly He chastiseth, How His wrath's flood ariseth, Shall I from all Thy suff'rings learn.

From them shall I be learning, How I may be adorning, My heart with quietness, And how I still should love them Whose malice aye doth move them To grieve me by their wickedness.

When tongues of bad men grieve me, Of peace and name deprive me, My restive heart I'll still; Their evil deeds enduring, Of pardon free assuring My neighbour for his ev'ry ill.

I'll on the cross unite me To Thee, what doth delight me I'll there renounce for aye. Whate'er Thy Spirit's grieving, There I'll for aye be leaving, As much as in my strength doth lay.

Thy groaning and Thy sighing, Thy thousand tears and crying, That once were heard from Thee, They'll lead me to Thy glory, Where I shall joy before Thee, And evermore at rest shall be!

TO THE COUNTENANCE OF THE LORD JESUS.

Oh! bleeding head, and wounded, And full of pain and scorn, In mockery surrounded With cruel crown of thorn! Oh Head! before adornèd With grace and majesty, Insulted now and scornèd, All hail I bid to Thee!

They spit upon and jeer Thee, Thou noble countenance! Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee, And flee before Thy glance. How hath Thy colour faded, The light too of Thine eye! Say who to pale hath made it? None shone so brilliantly.

Now from Thy cheeks is vanish'd Their colour once so fair; From Thy red lips is banish'd The splendour that was there. Death's might hath all things taken, Hath robb'd Thee ruthlessly; Thy frame, of strength forsaken, Doth hence in weakness lie.

O Lord! it was my burden That brought this woe on Thee, I earn'd it--for my pardon It has been borne by Thee. A child of wrath, look on me, Turn not away Thy face; O Saviour! deign to own me, And smile on me in grace.

My Guardian, now confess me, My Shepherd, me receive! Thou evermore dost bless me, All good things dost Thou give. Thy mouth hath often given Me milk and sweetest food. And many a taste of Heaven Thy Spirit hath bestow'd.

Oh! do not, Lord, deride me, I will not hence depart, Here will I stand beside Thee, When breaks Thine anguish'd heart; When on Thy breast is sinking In death's last fatal grasp Thy head, e'en then unshrinking Thee in mine arms I'll clasp.

Nought ever so much blesses, So much rejoices me, As when in Thy distresses I share a part with Thee. My Life, ah! were it ever Vouchsaf'd me on Thy cross My soul up to deliver, How blessèd were my loss!

Thanks from my heart I offer Thee, Jesus, dearest Friend, For all that Thou didst suffer, My good didst Thou intend. Ah! grant that I may ever To Thy truth faithful be, And in the last death-shiver May I be found in Thee.

When hence I must betake me, And death at last must meet, Lord, do not then forsake me, Thy child with welcome greet. When terror has bereft me, Of heart and hope, again, Lord! from my woe uplift me, In virtue of Thy pain.

Be Thou my consolation When death o'ertaketh me; May Thy death-tribulation Before mine eyes then be! I'll on Thee, fondly gazing, Fix my believing eyes, While firmly Thee embracing,-- He dies well who so dies.

THE SEVEN WORDS SPOKEN BY THE LORD JESUS ON THE CROSS.

My heart! the seven words hear now That Jesus Christ hath spoken, When on the cross His heart through woe And murder dire was broken; Ope now the shrine, And lock them in, As gifts all price excelling. In bitter grief, They'll give relief, 'Neath crosses joy instilling.

His first and chiefest care He made Who hated Him to cover: God for the wicked men He pray'd, That He'd their sin look over. "Forgive, forgive," He said in love, "Them every one, O Father! Not one doth see What doeth he, In ignorance 'tis rather!"

How fair it is, let all learn here, To love their foes who grieve them, And all their faults with hearts sincere Aye freely to forgive them. He also shows, How grace o'erflows His heart, how kind His mood is, That e'en his foe, Who'd work Him woe, Doth in Him find what good is!

Then to His mother doth He speak, Who stood near him He loveth, And as He can, though voice be weak, With words of comfort sootheth: "Woman! there see Thy son, for me Thou shalt by him be guarded. Disciple! see, Let her by thee As mother be regarded."

O faithful heart! thou car'st for all Thine own who truly love Thee, When they in tribulation fall Thou seest, the sight doth move Thee; A friend in need, In word and deed, Thou at their side appearest, Dost by Thy grace Find them a place, Them to good souls endearest.

The third thing that Thy lips have said Thou spak'st to him beside Thee, When, "Think upon me then," he pray'd, "When God Himself shall guide Thee Up to Thy throne, Thy head shall crown As Lord of earth and heaven:" "To walk with Me To-day shall thee In Paradise be given."

O blessèd word! O voice of joy! Can aught affright us?--never! Let death who seeketh to destroy, Now disappear for ever! Though he rage sore, What can he more Than soul and body sever? And meanwhile I Mount up on high, In joy to dwell for ever.

Christ's word gives deepest peace and joy, The robber's trouble stilleth; But He cries from the agony His holy breast that filleth, "Eli, my God, What heavy load Am I, Thy Son, now bearing? I call, and Thou Art silent now, Though I sink, seem'st not caring."