Devotional Verses Founded on and Illustrative of select Texts of Scripture [by Bernard Barton] |
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THE CURSE OF DISOBEDIENCE. |
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THE CURSE OF DISOBEDIENCE.
“And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the
earth that is under thee shall be iron.”
—Deuteronomy, xxviii. 23.
Appalling doom! yet hearts there are
Its fearful truth have found,
Have known a heaven where sun nor star
Its radiance sheds around.
Its fearful truth have found,
Have known a heaven where sun nor star
Its radiance sheds around.
A heaven of brass, from whose stern cope
No living waters well'd,
Whereon the rainbow, arch of hope,
The eye hath ne'er beheld.
No living waters well'd,
Whereon the rainbow, arch of hope,
The eye hath ne'er beheld.
An earth of iron, whose barren breast
Seem'd icy cold and dead,
Where sterile paths, by joy unblest
In endless maze were spread.
Seem'd icy cold and dead,
Where sterile paths, by joy unblest
In endless maze were spread.
Oh! such a heaven, and such an earth,
Are no delusive dream,
To which wild phantasy gives birth,
Howe'er the worldling deem.
Are no delusive dream,
To which wild phantasy gives birth,
Howe'er the worldling deem.
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They who have trod that hopeless path,
Beneath that rayless sky,
Have known the hour of righteous wrath
These metaphors imply.
Beneath that rayless sky,
Have known the hour of righteous wrath
These metaphors imply.
These know how God's most holy will
Can mar creation's face,
And leave the disobedient, still,
No pleasant resting place.
Can mar creation's face,
And leave the disobedient, still,
No pleasant resting place.
One only hope for such remains;
Repent, return, and live;
He who no penitent disdains,
New heavens, new earth can give.
Repent, return, and live;
He who no penitent disdains,
New heavens, new earth can give.
Simple obedience shall restore
Green fields, and sunny skies;
And hearkening to his voice bring more
Than Eden's Paradise.
Green fields, and sunny skies;
And hearkening to his voice bring more
Than Eden's Paradise.
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