Who, in the innumerous paths of pain, Weeping, sow seeds of precious grain, One day to bring back sheaves again! For all, who, battling through this life In anguish steeped, with evil rife, Faint underneath the unending strife: Dear, for the sorrows they endure, That men might hear out of this mouth of mine How God doth make his enemies his friends, Rather than with a thundering and long prayer Be led into presumption or despair. This would I be, and would none other be And I would frame a kind of faithful prayer For all estates within the state of grace, 2 The Ministry of Love. That careful love might never know despair, Nor servile fear might faithful love de face; And this would I both day and night devise To make my humble spirit's exercise. And I would read the rules of sacred life, That love might live, and quarrels all might cease: Pray for the health of all that are diseased, Confession unto all that are convicted, And patience unto all that are displeased, And comfort unto all that are afflicted, And mercy unto all that have offended, And grace to all, that all may be amended! For Forgiveness. 3 FOR FORGIVENESS. A HYMN TO GOD THE FATHER. ILT thou forgive that sin where I begun, Which was my sin, though it were done before? Wilt thou forgive that sin through which I run, And do run still, though still I do deplore? When thou hast done, thou hast not done, For I have more. Wilt thou forgive that sin which I have won Others to sin, and made my sin their door? Wilt thou forgive that sin which I did shun A year or two, but wallowed in a score? When thou hast done, thou hast not done, For I have more. |