University of Virginia Library

1321.

[Pastors the sheep should feed]

He said unto them, Give ye them to eat, &c. —ix. 13.

Pastors the sheep should feed,
When Jesus gives the word,
Whose grace provides with all they need
The followers of their Lord:
God will Himself supply
The impotence of man,
And do, poor souls to satisfy,
Whate'er the' Almighty can.
Jesus doth not enjoin
Impossibilities,
But shows our need of grace Divine
The Lord our God to please;
The things within our power
Commands us to fulfil,
Employ His grace, and ask for more
To do His perfect will.
For what Thou didst bestow
Thy love we glorify,
But own we can no farther go
Without a fresh supply:
We every word receive
Our Lord vouchsafes to say;
Command whate'er Thou wilt, but give
Thy servants power to' obey.