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XXIII.

[Dost Thou require a feeble worm]

Dost Thou require a feeble worm
To touch the sky, to' arrest the storm,
The mountain to remove?
Dost Thou command what cannot be,
That, Thy apostate creature, Thee
I should entirely love?
Had I ability to' obey,
I would not, Lord, one moment stay:
But O, compell'd I own,
Forced by ten thousand efforts vain,
There is no power in fallen man
To love a God unknown.
The power must then from Thee proceed,
If Thee I ever love indeed;
The thing Thy laws enjoin
Thy Spirit must in me fulfil,
Who ask according to Thy will
The precious grace Divine.
If all who will receive it, may,
I humbly for the blessing pray,
To poorest beggars given,
With strength of infinite desire
Thy only love do I require
Of all in earth or heaven.
377

What shall I say my suit to gain?
Father, regard that heavenly Man
Who groan'd on Calvary,
Who paid my ransom on the cross,
And ever lives to plead my cause,
And ask Thy love for me.
In honour of a suppliant God
The gift He purchased with His blood,
Father, on me bestow;
That loving Thee with all my heart.
And thus made ready to depart,
I to Thy arms may go.
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