Devotional Verses Founded on and Illustrative of select Texts of Scripture [by Bernard Barton] |
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AS UNTO GOD, NOT UNTO MAN. |
 | Devotional Verses |  |
155
AS UNTO GOD, NOT UNTO MAN.
“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad
countenance; for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear
unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you they have their reward.”
—Matthew, vi. 16.
When thou a fast wouldst keep,
Make not its homage cheap,
By publishing its signs to every eye;
But let it be between
Thyself and The Unseen;
So shall it gain acceptance from on high.
Make not its homage cheap,
By publishing its signs to every eye;
But let it be between
Thyself and The Unseen;
So shall it gain acceptance from on high.
God will no rival brook!
Austere, or mournful look,
Meant human eye to catch, or heart to move;
Seeking but man's applause,
Glory from God withdraws,—
Treason His Spirit sternly will reprove.
Austere, or mournful look,
Meant human eye to catch, or heart to move;
Seeking but man's applause,
Glory from God withdraws,—
Treason His Spirit sternly will reprove.
156
From inward exercise,
At seasons, will arise
Dark clouds, which cast their shadow on the brow;
Yet darker to impart,
Shows a divided heart,
Which makes the world a witness of its vow.
At seasons, will arise
Dark clouds, which cast their shadow on the brow;
Yet darker to impart,
Shows a divided heart,
Which makes the world a witness of its vow.
Nor think in fasts alone,
The precept here made known,
Instruction to the Christian's heart should teach;
In alms, in prayer, in praise—
A lesson it conveys,
'Twere wise to learn, and good to feel in each.
The precept here made known,
Instruction to the Christian's heart should teach;
In alms, in prayer, in praise—
A lesson it conveys,
'Twere wise to learn, and good to feel in each.
Doth it not tend to show
That all which seeks below
The glory and reward it most desires,
Howe'er on earth esteem'd,
Will not by God be deem'd
That homage of the heart which he requires.
That all which seeks below
The glory and reward it most desires,
Howe'er on earth esteem'd,
Will not by God be deem'd
That homage of the heart which he requires.
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