JEHOVAH-JIRAH* was his name, Thy Husband did provide. When thy long-absent Lord didst moan, Then was JEHOVAH SHAMMAнt known, When thy assaulting foes appear'd Thy Husband's banner spread. When furies, arm'd with fright'ning guilt, JEHOVAH-SHALOM§ then was built, When thy diseases death proclaim'd, Thy Husband kindly heal'd. Thus, as thy various needs require, In various modes like these, * Gen. xxii. 14. + Ezek. xlviii. 35. Exod. xvii. 15. » Judg. vi. 24. Exod. xv. 26. The help that suits thy heart's desire, To th' little flock, as cases vary, Thy Husband gives the views. SECTION VII. THE BELIEVER'S EXPERIENCE OF CHRIST'S COMFORTABLE PRESENCE, OR OF FORMER COMFORTS TO BE IMPROVED FOR HIS ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT UNDER DARKNESS AND HIDINGS. Dost mind the place, the spot of land, Where Jesus did thee meet? And how he got thy heart and hand? Dost mind the garden, chamber, bank, A vale of vision seem'd ? Thy joy was full, thy heart was frank, Let thy experience sweet declare, If able to remind; Ezek. xi. 16. A Bochim here, a Bethel there, Was such a corner, such a place, A Peniel, where face to face Thy Husband fair didst see? There did he clear thy cloudy cause, Couldst thou have said it boldly then, That earth again should thee insnare, For all its fading glory there Thy Husband's beauty stain'd. The thoughts of living more in sin The life of heav'n did thus begin, Thy Husband set thee free. Whate'er thou found'st him at thy best, He's at thy worst the same, Let faith these visits keep in store, The God of Bethel, as before, In meas'ring his approaches kind, In free and sov'reign ways thou 'lt find Prescribe not to him in thy heart, He's infinitely wise: How oft he throws his loving dart, Thy Husband does surprise. Perhaps a sudden gale thee blest, Or on a journey, e'er thou wist, Thus was the eunuch fam'd (his stage A-riding on the way, As he revolved the sacred page)* In hearing, reading, singing, pray'r, Of heav'nly gales do n't meanly think: For, though thy soul complains, They 're but a short and passing blink; Thy Husband's love remains. Think not, though breezes haste away, But learn to know his sov'reign way Don't say he's gone forever, though For yet a little while, and lo, Thy Husband will return. In worship social, or retir'd, *Acts viii. 27-39. |