HYMN 51.
[Thou like as a Refiner doth]
Mal. 3. 3. He shall sit as a Refiners fire.
[The First Part.]
Thou like as a Refiner doth
The Gold and Silver try,
We had much dross until thou didst
Our Souls, Lord, purifie.
Into the Furnace we were cast,
Which oft is very hot;
'Tis not our Grace i'th'least to waste,
But filth which we have got.
Afflictions like as fire doth
The Gold rarely refine,
Purge all our Souls, and we thereby
More gloriously may shine:
But Dross will not the Fire bear,
So some, Lord, cannot stand
Before thee when thou dost rise up
To scourge them with thy hand.
The fire makes the Gold more soft,
So by Afflictions we
More plyable, O Lord, are brought
To yield and bend to thee.
The Second Part.
Gold when 'tis triy'd, 'tis pure made
By the Refiners art;
So by afflictions thou dost, Lord,
Mor'e holy make each heart.
From hence we may the reason see
Why God afflictions brings,
And clearly also may discern
What profit from them springs.
We fitted are hereby, O Lord,
For our own Master's turn,
Who golden Vessels will make us
Before that he has done.
When you refin'd by tryals are,
What cause have you to sing,
And praise the Lord that ever he
Did you in's Furnace fling.
