Did thy Heav'nly Father see That it would be for thy good, What desires so eagerly Thy misguided flesh and blood, He would ne'er thee joyless leave, But would of His bounty give. God to thee is full of love, Faithful and sincere is He, When thou wishest aught, He'd prove Of what kind thy wish may be: If 'tis good, He will bestow, If 'tis ill, He'll answer--no. Meanwhile doth His Spirit give Manna to thy fainting heart, Food by which the angels live, Grace to deck thee doth impart, For His portion chooseth thee, Thou shalt share salvation free. Look then to thy God above, Sad and troubled countenance! Cease to sigh, faith's virtue prove, By thy clear and joyous glance! While thy sky is overcast By affliction, hold it fast! And as Heav'n's adopted son, Thy rebellious will restrain; Touch thy harp, let 'fore God's throne Grateful songs resound again. More at all times doth God give Than thou'rt worthy to receive. Live thou ever in God's fear, As thou journeyest to heav'n, Take whate'er befalls thee here As a gift in wisdom giv'n. Are they evil days, thou'lt see God and Heav'n endure for thee. UNDER THE VEXATIONS OF THE WICKED PROSPEROUS WORLD. Ah! lovely innocence, how evil art thou deem'd, How lightly oft thy work by all the world's esteem'd! Thou servest God, thy Lord, and to His word thou cleavest; For this, from men thou nought but scorn and hate receivest. Right on thy road thou go'st, flee'st from the crooked way; Another steppeth in and bears the prize away, Increaseth his small store, his chests and barns he filleth; Thou'rt poor with all thy house, scarce earn'st what hunger stilleth. The wicked one thou chid'st, who walks not righteously, Another practiseth a sweet hypocrisy That love and praise secures, and him on high upraises, While in the lurch the world thee leaves, and much abases. Thou say'st that virtue is the Christian's fairest crown, But reputation doth the world lay stress upon; He who will this secure, it saith, must ever labour To suit the times, and live and act just like his neighbour. Thou boast'st thyself in God, thy tongue doth aye commend The blessing God doth as His children's portion send: "If this be then the case," the world says, "come and show it, The happy fortune thou hast had, we'd see and know it." Stand firm, thou pious heart, stand firm, thy faith retain! 'Mid disappointment sore thy God will true remain, Commit thy ways to Him, let Him protect and guide thee, Thou'lt triumph at the last o'er evils that betide thee.