The Sea

If for a time the air be calm, Serene and smooth the sea appears, And shows no danger to alarm Th’inexperienced landsman’s fears;

But if the tempest once arise, The faithless water swells and raves; Its billows foaming to the skies, Disclose a thousand threat’ning graves.

My untried heart thus seem’d to me (So little of myself I knew,) Smooth as the calm unruffled sea, But ah! it proved as treach’rous too.

The peace of which I had a taste When Jesus first his love reveal’d, I fondly hoped would always last Because my foes were then conceal’d.

But when I felt the tempter’s power Rouse my corruptions from their sleep, I trembled at the stormy hour, And saw the horrors of the deep.

Now on presumption’s billows borne, My spirit seem’d the Lord to dare; Now, quick as thought, a sudden turn Plunged me in gulfs of black despair.

Lord, save me, or I sink, I pray’d; He heard, and bid the tempest cease; The angry waves his word obey’ d, And all my fears were hush’d to peace.

The peace is his, and not my own; My heart (no better than before) Is still to dreadful changes prone, Then let me never trust it more.