Concerning Trials

Alas, how hard a Thing It is to bring Into a true Subjection, Flesh and Blood, Quietly to entertain (And not complain) Those Exercises that attend for Good! My Life, my Joy, my Love, If thus thou please to prove And exercise my poor perplexed Mind, Teach me to wait in Fear, That I may learn to bear What Trials may attend, of any Kind: And, guarded by thy Ray, Walk in the Way, That leads directly to the Throne of Grace: Where in Humility, Poor I may be Admitted to sit down i'th' heav'nly Place; And there to thee discharge My Griefs at large, As to a Bosom-Friend, that bears with me, And often passes by Faults of Infirmity: Alas, I cannot bear too much for thee! Then work thy blessed Will, So to fulfil Thy sacred Counsel, for a further Trial; All Trials work for Good (Though cross to Flesh and Blood) To them that follow thee in Self-denial; Bearing the Cross, for so Thine come to know We have a just High-Priest, that's pleas'd to be (Although he dwells above What Grief can move) Touch'd with a Sense of our Infirmity. Ah, let us ne'er forget, When sore beset With Tribulation, or when Snares surround, Humbly to lean to thee! Then shall we see The Joys of thy Salvation to abound. So living Praises due (Thou holy, just and true) To thee, thy dear Redeemed may proclaim, And in Sincerity May magnify, With Heart and Tongue, thy great eternal Name.