Divine emblems Embellished with etchings on copper, after the fashion of Master Francis Quarles. Designed and written by, Johann Abricht [i.e. Jonathan Birch |
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| [Why is this darkness?—Phœbus shone most bright] |
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 | Divine emblems |  |
[Why is this darkness?—Phœbus shone most bright]
Why is this darkness?—Phœbus shone most bright
E'en now—and now, it is Cimmerian night!
What have I done, that Thou shouldst veil his face
From me—to sun the profligate and base?—
What thoughtless deed—what meditated sin
Of mine—hath roused this ceaseless thundering?
Have I not read thy Law; and kept it too?
Done all—and more than Thou command'st me do?
Denied the flesh—fulfilled mount Sinai's law?
Display a blemish—I discern no flaw.
Was it for this, I've borne the world's rebuke,
Eschew'd its fashions—hid me in a nook
Recluse! lest through mine eyes, my loyal heart
Should swerve—and from thy holy law depart.
Could I do more, to gain thy radiant smile—
What more—thy heavenly favours to beguile?
E'en now—and now, it is Cimmerian night!
What have I done, that Thou shouldst veil his face
From me—to sun the profligate and base?—
What thoughtless deed—what meditated sin
Of mine—hath roused this ceaseless thundering?
Have I not read thy Law; and kept it too?
Done all—and more than Thou command'st me do?
Denied the flesh—fulfilled mount Sinai's law?
Display a blemish—I discern no flaw.
Was it for this, I've borne the world's rebuke,
Eschew'd its fashions—hid me in a nook
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Should swerve—and from thy holy law depart.
Could I do more, to gain thy radiant smile—
What more—thy heavenly favours to beguile?
Yet vain have been my vigils—watch and ward—
If night and thund'rings be my sole reward!
When did I fail in doing my best do
To merit Heaven?—thy Word's my surety true.
Forbear thine anger!—bid thy thunders cease—
My limbs are palsied—and my fears increase!
If night and thund'rings be my sole reward!
When did I fail in doing my best do
To merit Heaven?—thy Word's my surety true.
Forbear thine anger!—bid thy thunders cease—
My limbs are palsied—and my fears increase!
I may have sinn'd; but, Lord! I know not when:
In thought I may have wander'd—but what then,
In act I'm pure—what canst thou wish for more?
Augment not, Lord! my sin-abounding score.
No “still small voice!”—thy thunderings do not cease
Lord!—does thy wrath with my dismay increase?
In thought I may have wander'd—but what then,
In act I'm pure—what canst thou wish for more?
Augment not, Lord! my sin-abounding score.
No “still small voice!”—thy thunderings do not cease
Lord!—does thy wrath with my dismay increase?
Oh, I am helpless, Lord! vouchsafe one glimmering ray,
That I may know thy will—and see my way:
By man false school'd, oh, teach me, Lord, to read
Thy word aright—Lord! help me in my need.
Heart-broken—poor—benighted—full of sin—
With works bespangled—but bedaub'd within!
Oh whisper comfort to my labouring soul!
If thought can sin—do Thou my thoughts control.
Have mercy, Lord!—command thy thunders cease;
Stay thou mine aspen limbs—my fears decrease!
That I may know thy will—and see my way:
By man false school'd, oh, teach me, Lord, to read
Thy word aright—Lord! help me in my need.
Heart-broken—poor—benighted—full of sin—
With works bespangled—but bedaub'd within!
13
If thought can sin—do Thou my thoughts control.
Have mercy, Lord!—command thy thunders cease;
Stay thou mine aspen limbs—my fears decrease!
Beyond the hills, methinks I ken a ray—
Hail, Phospher! harbinger of day!
Come! come Redeemer! oh, dispel this gloom
This terror night has been full long my doom!
Yes, I have err'd!—to trust to mortal arm,
To works, and merits—as if they could charm
Eternal justice!—when the thought's required
To be as perfect as the deed desired!
Come, Saviour! come, in radiance bright,
Warm my clamm'd limbs—dismiss this Stygian night
Increase my love!—the sin-atoning Lamb
Alone can shelter from the stern I AM!
Hail, Phospher! harbinger of day!
Come! come Redeemer! oh, dispel this gloom
This terror night has been full long my doom!
Yes, I have err'd!—to trust to mortal arm,
To works, and merits—as if they could charm
Eternal justice!—when the thought's required
To be as perfect as the deed desired!
Come, Saviour! come, in radiance bright,
Warm my clamm'd limbs—dismiss this Stygian night
Increase my love!—the sin-atoning Lamb
Alone can shelter from the stern I AM!
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The sufficiency of my merit is to know that my merit is not sufficient.
S. AUGUST.
The ray of hope that breaks upon the benighted soul, is cheering as the morning star to the sick prisoner languishing for the time of the warder's rising; he hopes once again to be placed under the canopy of heaven.
ANON.
Through the wrath of the Lord of Hosts is the land darkened.
ISAIAH, chap. 9, v. 19.
Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works.
IB. chap. 59, v. 6.
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
IB. chap. 60, v. 1.
Darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
1 JOHN, chap. 2, v. 8.
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
EPH. chap. 2, v. 9.
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