My soul rejoices to pursue
The steps of him I love,
Till glory break upon my view
In brighter worlds above.

XXXI. ON THE DEATH OF A MINISTER.

HIS master taken from his head,
Elisha saw him go;

And in desponding accents said,
"Ah, what must Israel do?"
But he forgot the Lord who lifts
The beggar to the throne;
Nor knew that all Elijah's gifts
Would soon be made his own.

What! when a Paul has run his course,
Or when Apollos dies,

Is Israel left without resource,
And have we no supplies?

Yes, while the dear Redeemer lives,

We have a boundless store,

And shall be fed with what he gives,
Who lives for evermore.

XXXII. THE SHINING LIGHT.

My former hopes are fled,
My terror now begins;
I feel, alas! that I am dead
In trespasses and sins.

Ah, whither shall I fly?

I hear the thunder roar;

The Law proclaims Destruction nigh,
And vengeance at the door.

When I review my ways,
I dread impending doom:

But sure a friendly whisper says,

"Flee from the wrath to come."

I see, or think I see,

A glimmering from afar ;
A beam of day, that shines for me,
To save me from despair.

17

Forerunner of the sun17,

It marks the pilgrim's way;
I'll gaze upon it while I run,
And watch the rising day.

XXXIII. THE WAITING SOUL18.
BREATHE from the gentle south, O Lord,
And cheer me from the north;
Blow on the treasures of thy word,
And call the spices forth!

I wish, Thou know'st, to be resign'd,
And wait with patient hope;
But hope delayed fatigues the mind,
And drinks the spirits up.

Help me to reach the distant goal;
Confirm my feeble knee;

Pity the sickness of a soul

That faints for love of thee!

Cold as I feel this heart of mine,
Yet, since I feel it so,
It yields some hope of life divine
Within, however low.

I seem forsaken and alone,

I hear the lion roar ;

And

every door is shut but one,
And that is Mercy's door.

There, till the dear Deliverer come,
I'll wait with humble prayer ;
And when he calls his exile home,

The Lord shall find him there.

17 Psalm cxxx. 6.

18 This Hymn, which has not been marked as Cowper's in the Olney Collection, and consequently not included in any edition of his works, is here restored to him on the authority of Mrs. Johnson, the widow of his excellent kinsman.

XXXIV.

SEEKING THE BELOVED.

To those who love the Lord I speak ;
Is my beloved near?

The bridegroom of my soul I seek,
Oh! when will he appear?

Though once a man of grief and shame,
Yet now he fills a throne,

And bears the greatest, sweetest name,
That earth or heaven have known.
Grace flies before, and love attends
His steps where'er he goes;
Though none can see him but his friends,
And they were once his foes.

He speaks ;-obedient to his call

Our warm affections move :
Did he but shine alike on all,
Then all alike would love.

Then love in every heart would reign,
And war would cease to roar;
And cruel and blood-thirsty men
Would thirst for blood no more.

Such Jesus is, and such his grace;
Oh, may he shine on you!

And tell him, when you see his face,
I long to see him too19.

XXXV.

LIGHT SHINING OUT OF DARKNESS.

GOD moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;

He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill,

He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sovereign will.

S. C.-5.

19 Cant. v. 8.

F

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err20,
And scan his work in vain :
God is his own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

'Tis my happiness below

Not to live without the cross, But the Saviour's power to know, Sanctifying every loss:

Trials must and will befall;

But with humble faith to see Love inscribed upon them all, This is happiness to me.

God in Israel sows the seeds

Of affliction, pain, and toil

;

These spring up and choke the weeds

Which would else o'erspread the soil:

Trials make the promise sweet,

Trials give new life to prayer;

Trials bring me to his feet,

Lay me low, and keep me there.

Did I meet no trials here,

Bastards may escape the rod",
Sunk in earthly vain delight;
But the true-born child of God

XXXVII.

Must not, would not, if he might.

AFFLICTIONS SANCTIFIED BY THE WOrd.

O HOW I love thy holy word,

Thy gracious covenant, O Lord!

It guides me in the peaceful way;
I think upon it all the day.

What are the mines of shining wealth,
The strength of youth, the bloom of health!
What are all joys compared with those
Thine everlasting Word bestows!
Long unafflicted, undismay'd,
In pleasure's path secure I stray'd;
Thou madest me feel thy chastening rod",
And straight I turn'd unto my God.

What though it pierced my fainting heart,
I bless'd thine hand that caused the smart.
It taught my tears awhile to flow,

But saved me from eternal woe.

Oh! hadst thou left me unchastised,
Thy precepts I had still despised;
And still the snare in secret laid
Had my unwary feet betray'd.

I love thee, therefore, O my God,
And breathe towards thy dear abode;
Where, in thy presence fully blest,
Thy chosen saints for ever rest.

THE billows swell, the winds are high,
Clouds overcast my wintry sky;
Out of the depths to thee I call,—
My fears are great, my strength is small.

21 Hebrews, xii. 8.

22 Psalm cxix. 71.