Hymn XLVII. For a blind Person.
[_]
To mitigate their discomforts who are deprived of
Bodilie-Sight, this Hymn intimates the furtherance
which that defect may be to their everlasting
Felicitie; and a spirituall Illumination is implored
to supply that corporall defect.
Sing this as the Lamentation.
[1]
Fain would I view that pleasing sight,
And lovelie splendor of the Skies,
Which chears the day, adornes the night,
And gladdeth all Beholders eies;
But, since God pleased is, to hide
That spark of Common-grace from me;
Content I am to be denide
The Gift, which may not granted be.
2
For it proceeds not still from wrath,
When God of those things doth deprive,
Which he on most conferred hath;
And without which, diseas'd men live.
Sometime our Good; sometime his Praise;
And many times, ev'n both of these,
Are Cause, that he upon us layes
Discomfort, Blemish, or Disease.
3
Perhaps, if I the Light had seen,
The way to ruine I had gone;
Or, guiltie of offence had been,
Which me for ever had undone.
Perhaps in darknes here I bide,
Because if I had light enjoy'd,
Mine Eye had left mine Heart aside,
And made my best endeavours void.
4
What e're the cause thereof hath been,
Thou LORD, art pleas'd it should be so;
And with thy Justice, I have seen
Thy Mercy, hand in hand, to goe.
In thy good pleasure, I therefore,
With our repining am content;
And, will be thankfull evermore,
For whatsoever thou hast lent.
5
My want of an externall-sight,
With inward-light, supplie thou so,
That I may walk that path aright,
In which thy Children ought to go.
Yea, be my Watchman, and my Guide,
My Mind and Body to direct;
That nothing lead my heart aside;
Or injure me through this defect.
