English poem
The Care of the Soul, the one Thing needful. Luke x. 42
by Philip Doddridge (1773–1832)
Why will ye lavish out your Years Amidst a thousand trifling Cares? While in this various Range of Thought The one Thing needful is forgot?
Why will ye chase the fleeting Wind, And famish an immortal Mind? While Angels with Regret look down To see you spurn a heav'nly Crown?
Th' Eternal GOD calls from above, And Jesus pleads his bleeding Love; Awaken'd Conscience gives you Pain; And shall they join their Pleas in vain?
Not so your dying Eyes shall view Those Objects, which ye now persue; Not so shall Heav'n and Hell appear, When the decisive Hour is near.
Almighty GOD, thy Pow'r impart To fix Convictions on the Heart; Thy Pow'r unveils the blindest Eyes, And makes the haughtiest Scorner wise.
More by Philip Doddridge
- The Believer committing his departing Spirit to JESUS. Acts vii. 59
- The Blind and Weak led and supported in GOD'S Ways. Isaiah xlii. 16
- The Blood of CHRIST cleansing from all Sin. 1 John i. -7
- The Breath of our Nostrils taken in the Pits of the Enemy, applied to CHRIST. Lament. iv. 20
- The Christian Farewel. 2 Cor. xiii. 11
- The Christian perfected by divine Grace through CHRIST. Heb. xiii. 20, 21
- The Christian rejoicing in the Views of Death and Judgment. Rev. xxii. 20
- The Christian Scheme of Salvation worthy of GOD. Hebrews ii. 10