46
Before the voice divine was heard from heaven,
This preparation was in mercy given;
The mind was taught, for truth more deep and high,
To read in nature the Divinity;
And, having learnt the holy lessons there,
To turn to pages more divinely fair.
How reads she those? the beauteous world around,
Does it not answer the inspiring sound,
Confirm the tidings of the angelic voice,
For "God is good"—does it not cry "Rejoice!"
Exemplify and prove, in every part,
The purest wisdom and the nicest art?
God's tender mercies are o'er all, 't is said,
We look, and lo! the little ravens fed!
The hen is gathering softly o'er her brood,
The meanest thing that crawls has air and food,
A wondrous frame and an Almighty care,
Those tender mercies—they are everywhere!
Lord of all power and might, the Scriptures call
The great presiding Spirit over all;
But far more awfully that power is told,
The living fires of Heaven when we behold,
See the dark clouds encompassing our day,
And hear the tempest rushing on its way;
While desolation covers all the land,
We own the works of an Almighty hand,
This preparation was in mercy given;
The mind was taught, for truth more deep and high,
To read in nature the Divinity;
And, having learnt the holy lessons there,
To turn to pages more divinely fair.
How reads she those? the beauteous world around,
Does it not answer the inspiring sound,
Confirm the tidings of the angelic voice,
For "God is good"—does it not cry "Rejoice!"
Exemplify and prove, in every part,
The purest wisdom and the nicest art?
God's tender mercies are o'er all, 't is said,
We look, and lo! the little ravens fed!
The hen is gathering softly o'er her brood,
The meanest thing that crawls has air and food,
A wondrous frame and an Almighty care,
Those tender mercies—they are everywhere!
Lord of all power and might, the Scriptures call
The great presiding Spirit over all;
But far more awfully that power is told,
The living fires of Heaven when we behold,
See the dark clouds encompassing our day,
And hear the tempest rushing on its way;
While desolation covers all the land,
We own the works of an Almighty hand,
