The gracious Dove, that brought from Heaven The earnest of our bliss, Of many a chosen witness telling, On many a happy vision dwelling, So, truest image of the Christ, What time, with sweet forgiving cheer, He could not trust his melting soul Then why should gentle hearts and true No-let the dainty rose awhile Her bashful fragrance hide Rend not her silken veil too soon, To flourish and abide. FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT. And Moses said, I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burned. Exodus iii. 3. TH' historic Muse, from age to age, But a celestial call to-day Stays her, like Moses, on her way, The works of GOD to scan. Far seen across the sandy wild, Where, like a solitary child, He thoughtless roam'd and free, One towering thorn' was wrapt in flame— z" Seneh :" said to be a sort of Acacia. Along the mountain ledges green The while, with undivided heart, The shepherd talks with God apart, Ye too, who tend Christ's wildering flock, Well may ye gather round the rock That once was Sion's hill; To watch the fire upon the mount Caught from that blaze by wrath divine, Lost branches of the once-lov'd vine, Now wither'd, spent, and sere, See Israel's sons, like glowing brands, God will not quench nor slay them quite, 700 Or like pale ghosts that darkling roam, Hovering around their ancient home, But find no refuge there. Ye blessed Angels! if of you Of Kings and Kingdoms here; (And sure, 'tis worth an Angel's gaze, To see, throughout that dreary maze, God teaching love and fear :) Oh say, in all the bleak expanse, A hopeless faith, a homeless race, Salted with fire they seem, to shew Oh sickening thought! yet hold it fast Or sin at heart survive. a St. Mark ix. 49. And hark! amid the flashing fire, 'Tis Abraham's God who speaks so loud, His people's cries have pierc'd the cloud, He sees, He sees their wrong; He is come down to break their chain; 'Tis Sion, wheresoe'er they dwell, Shall own Him strong to save. He shall redeem them one by one, Shall see them meekly kneel: Gentiles! with fix'd yet awful eye Turn ye this page of mystery, b Exod. iii. 7, 8. |