William Cowper 7,7,7,7 Welcome cross. 'Tis my happiness below Not to live without the cross; But the Savior's pow'r 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 hew 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 cast-away: Bastards may escape the rod, Sunk in earthly, vain delight; But the true-born child of GOD, Must not, would not, if he might. |