..., "I have found the track of a divine Person in the world. I follow that, and I know where it ends."
O! wondrous grace, that such as I,
Rais'd by the self-same power as Thou,
May walk on earth, in life to die
Through living union with Thee now.
Then teach me in Thy death to learn,
How Thou my heart from earth canst wean;
Nature allures at every turn,
But Thou halt died, out of the scene!
And sure the faithful heart must loathe
All that for which her Lord hath died;
Must long to feel His hand unclothe
This mortal part, in life to hide.
But 'tis my God and Father's will,
Who deigns to make my path His care,
That I this orbit should fulfill,
His grace and glory to declare.
Then count me worthy, Lord, to be
A lowly witness on this earth,
So wholly Thine, so kept by Thee,
To know and testify Thy worth.
O, holy joy by man unseen,
This secret, sacred path to tread,
The footprints where my Lord has been.
For Thee while here, and to Thee led.
For such, a gladsome path must be
E'en here (with Thee for Guide and Friend);
Learning Thine all-sufficiency,
We scarce could wish that path to end.
But end it will—where every sound
Shall be the echo of Thy praise;
The Bridegroom Thou! Thy Church around
Reflecting all Thy glory's rays.
O! may Thy wisdom, love, and light
Enclose me, in this squalid scene.
What cloud (with Thee, my Lord, in sight)
Thy glory from my path can screen?