University of Virginia Library

LX.

[Father, Son, and Spirit come]

Father, Son, and Spirit come,
Enter now Thy human shrine,
Take my offspring from the womb;
Mine he is not, Lord, but Thine:
Thine this moment let him be,
Thine to all eternity!
Seize, O seize his tender heart,
Beating to the vital war;
Everlasting life impart,
Sow the seed of glory there:
Grace be to my infant given,
Grace the principle of heaven.
Soon as reason's glimmering ray
Feebly faint begins to shine,
Let the spark of grace display
Stronger influence Divine,
All the life of sin control,
Spread throughout his new-born soul.
Father, draw him from his birth
With the cords of heavenly love,
From the trivial joys of earth
Raise his mind to joys above,
Gently lead Thy favourite on,
Till Thou giv'st him to Thy Son.

69

Rise the woman's conquering Seed,
In his ransom'd nature rise,
Bruiser of the serpent's head,
Give him back his paradise,
Nature into grace convert,
Grave Thine image on his heart.
Spirit of life, and love, and power,
The deep things of God reveal,
Seal him from his natal hour,
Him the heir of glory seal,
Strong with sevenfold energy
Stamp, and fit him for the sky.
Father, Son, and Spirit come,
Enter now Thy human shrine,
Take my offspring from the womb;
Mine he is not, Lord, but Thine:
Thine this moment let him be,
Thine to all eternity!