Devotional Verses Founded on and Illustrative of select Texts of Scripture [by Bernard Barton] |
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THE CHURCH IN HER BEAUTY AND PURITY. |
 | Devotional Verses |  |
THE CHURCH IN HER BEAUTY AND PURITY.
“A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.”
—Solomon's Song, iv. 12.
Delightful emblems, in whose guise is shown
Thy church, O Lord, from spot and wrinkle free;
“The world unknowing, by the world unknown,”
Chaste and devoted in her love to Thee.
Thy church, O Lord, from spot and wrinkle free;
“The world unknowing, by the world unknown,”
Chaste and devoted in her love to Thee.
108
Then Thou to her art fairest of the fair,
The chief among ten thousand:—every crown
And palm victorious which her children wear,
Before thy throne of glory is cast down.
The chief among ten thousand:—every crown
And palm victorious which her children wear,
Before thy throne of glory is cast down.
Then, every anxious care on Thee repos'd,
Her image to the spirit seems reveal'd
A beauteous garden, by Thy love inclos'd,
A spring shut up, a living fountain seal'd.
Her image to the spirit seems reveal'd
A beauteous garden, by Thy love inclos'd,
A spring shut up, a living fountain seal'd.
Lovely as Eden, ere by sin's deceit
The tempter there a fatal entrance found;
Pure as a chrystal fount in noontide's heat,
Whose sunless depth by rocks is guarded round.
The tempter there a fatal entrance found;
Pure as a chrystal fount in noontide's heat,
Whose sunless depth by rocks is guarded round.
Her's is that state of holier innocence
Fall'n nature of itself can never know;
Thy arm's inclosure is her living fence,
Thy grace which made her pure must keep her so.
Fall'n nature of itself can never know;
Thy arm's inclosure is her living fence,
Thy grace which made her pure must keep her so.
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