University of Virginia Library


19

Duration of Joy the Prerogative of Heaven.

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Acts iii. 8.

With springing feet the cripple heal'd,
Dances and leaps and shouts for joy;
While with extatic ardors fill'd,
Ten thousand thoughts his mind employ.
But these withdrawn and rapture cool,
He still retains the blessing giv'n;
And taught in wisdom's sober school,
He sighs, believes, and lives for heav'n.
From love fulfils each daily task,
Or labouring for his daily bread;
Content with gratitude to ask
It's mercies from their fountain head.
Just so the soul from guilt set free,
On joy's eternal wings would rise,
As though this moment she could see
Herself embodied in the skies.
But these remov'd and paus'd awhile,
She finds her wonder still on earth;
While with submission's pensive smile,
She views the travels of it's birth.

20

Aghast! she eyes the mystic cross,
On which the world's redeemer died;
And counting all but dung and dross,
For Jesus and him crucified:
Trembling she grasps the bitter cup,
“Father,” she cries, “Thy will be done.
“Be this my joy and this my hope,
“In this to imitate thy Son,
“Who for the joy before him set,
“Endur'd the cross, despis'd it's shame;
“Till with him in his glory met,
“My joy shall burn a quenchless flame!”