A PRAYER under Convictions.

A PRAYER under Convictions.

I.

FATHER of Light, from whom proceeds Whate'er thy Ev'ry Creature needs, Whose Goodness providently nigh Feeds the young Ravens when they cry; To Thee I look; my Heart prepare, Suggest, and hearken to my Pray'r.

II.

Since by Thy Light Myself I see Naked, and poor, and void of Thee, Thine Eyes must all my Thoughts survey, Preventing what my Lips would say: Thou seest my Wants; for Help they call, And ere I speak, Thou know'st them all.

III.

Thou know'st the Baseness of my Mind Wayward, and impotent and blind, Thou know'st how unsubdu'd my Will, Averse to Good, and prone to Ill: Thou know'st how wide my Passions rove, Nor check'd by Fear, nor charm'd by Love.

IV.

Fain would I know, as known by Thee, And feel the Indigence I see; Fain would I all my Vileness owr, And deep beneath the Burden groan: Abhor the Pride that lurks within, Detest and loath myself and Sin.

V.

Ah give me, LORD, myself to feel, My total Misery reveal: Ah give me, LORD, (I still would say.) A Heart to mourn, a Heart to pray; My Business this, my only Care, My Life, my ev'ry Breath be Pray'r.

VI.

Scarce I begin my sad Complaint, When all my warmest Wishes faint; Hardly I lift my weeping Eye, When all my kindling Ardors die; Nor Hopes nor Fears my Bosom move, For still I cannot, cannot love.

VII.

Father, I want a thankful Heart; I want to taste how good Thou art, To plunge me in thy Mercy's Sea, And comprehend thy Love to me; The Breadth, and Length, and Depth, and Height Of Love divinely infinite.

VIII.

Father, I long my Soul to raise And dwell for ever on thy Praise, Thy Praise with Glorious Joy to tell, In Extasy unspeakable; While the Full Pow'r of FAITH I know, And reign triumphant here below.