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Hymns and Sacred Lyrics

In Three Parts. By Joseph Cottle
  

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423

517. Parable 13. Of the Treasure hid in a Field. Matt. xiii. 44.

1

Preeminent, one treasure shines,
Yielding no transitory joy;
Richer than India's choicest mines,
Which moth and rust cannot destroy!

2

It is that word of promise pure;
That hallow'd book! in which are found
Wealth, that for ever will endure,
And hopes, that hell shall not confound!

3

The man who earthly treasure finds,
O'erpower'd by wonder and surprise,
Himself, to boundless joy, resigns,
And buys the field wherein it lies!

4

Oh! if we have secured indeed,
Amid this world of toil and strife,
The streams, that from on high proceed,
The bread of everlasting life!

5

If we have learn'd to say, sincere,
My Saviour! I in thee confide!
This is that pearl, that treasure, rare,
For which we barter all beside.

6

Let us not cast the longing eye
At earth's too fair, but fleeting flowers!
Why should our hearts for shadows sigh,
When Heaven is near, and Christ is ours!

7

Help us, O Lord! to make that choice,
That wealth to prize, that treasure love,
In which, at death, we shall rejoice,
Borne with us to the world above!