Devotional Verses Founded on and Illustrative of select Texts of Scripture [by Bernard Barton] |
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A CHRISTIAN'S FREEDOM. |
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A CHRISTIAN'S FREEDOM.
“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
—2 Corinthians, iii. 17.
Seek'st thou freedom, far more glorious
Than the hero ever found,
When, in battle-field victorious,
His the brow with laurel crown'd?
Than the hero ever found,
When, in battle-field victorious,
His the brow with laurel crown'd?
Know—a Spirit, ever nigh thee,
If His aid thou meekly crave,
With that freedom would supply thee,
Which no bondage can enslave.
If His aid thou meekly crave,
With that freedom would supply thee,
Which no bondage can enslave.
Christ that Spirit still remaineth;
Liberty, which He would give,
Earthly thraldom ne'er enchaineth.
For in dungeons it can live.
Liberty, which He would give,
Earthly thraldom ne'er enchaineth.
For in dungeons it can live.
214
Where his Spirit dwells—no token
Of earth's bondage can appal;
Doors are open'd, chains are broken,—
Overthrown the prison wall.
Of earth's bondage can appal;
Doors are open'd, chains are broken,—
Overthrown the prison wall.
These may, in the world's opinion,
Slavery's bitter doom fulfil;
Christians, through their Lord's dominion,
Claim a glorious freedom still.
Slavery's bitter doom fulfil;
Christians, through their Lord's dominion,
Claim a glorious freedom still.
Freedom from each fatal error,
Freedom found and felt within;
Freedom from the grave's dark terror;
Freedom from the yoke of sin.
Freedom found and felt within;
Freedom from the grave's dark terror;
Freedom from the yoke of sin.
Where these are—oh, what are fetters,
Which the mortal body wears?
What brief tyranny's abettors?—
Objects of their love, and prayers!
Which the mortal body wears?
What brief tyranny's abettors?—
Objects of their love, and prayers!
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