POEMS. PARAPHRASE OF THE OPENING INVOCATION OF THE LITANY. GOD the Father! by whose power Heaven and Earth and Sea were made, And till time's expiring hour All Creation shall be swayed ; Hear us, when on thee we call, Miserable sinners all! God the Son! For Man's salvation, Who thyself the price didst pay, Whose atoning expiation, Our transgressions washed away; Save us, when on thee we call, Miserable sinners all! God the Holy Ghost! Proceeding Oh ineffable Communion! Holy, blessed, glorious Three, Oh have mercy, when we call, Sept. 1827. * Rom. viii. 26. PARAPHRASE OF THE PETITION FROM THE LITANY "IN ALL TIME OF OUR TRIBULATION, IN ALL TIME OF OUR WEALTH, IN THE HOUR OF DEATH, AND IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT; GOOD LORD DELIVER US." IN the dark season of distress, In peril, want and woe, If friends desert, or foes oppress, If, reft of those I fondly love, From earthly ills I flee, To seek sweet comfort from above; Good Lord, deliver me! If wealth be mine, from all the snares From worldly pleasures, worldly cares From pride, and from that worst offence, Forgetfulness of thee, Whose hand that wealth did first dispense; Good Lord, deliver me! When on the bed of death, a prey To gloomy thoughts, I lie; Or worn by slow disease away, Or racked with agony; Stung with remorse for what has been, And dreading what shall be When death has closed this mortal scene; Good Lord, deliver me! And oh! in that appalling hour, When, clouds around thee spread, Thou com'st, arrayed in pomp and power, To judge the quick and dead; When trembling, shrinking from thy face, Thy servant thou shalt see A suppliant at the throne of grace; Good Lord, deliver me! Good Friday, 1825. |