Olney Hymn 35 Welcome Cross

'Tis my happiness below Not to live without the cross,

But the Saviour's power to know,

Sanctifying every loss;

Trials must and will befall;

But with humble faith to see Love inscribed upon them all,

This is happiness to me.

God in Israel sows the seeds Of affliction, pain, and toil;

These spring up and choke the weeds Which would else o'erspread the soil:

Trials make the promise sweet,

Trials give new life to prayer;

Trials bring me to His feet,

Lay me low, and keep me there.

Did I meet no trials here,

No chastisement by the way,

Might I not with reason fear I should prove a castaway?

Bastards may escape the rod,

Sunk in earthly vain delight;

But the true-born child of God Must not — would not, if he might.(Bastards may escape the rod...):

Hebrews xii.8.