'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.
