The Christians Duty, exhibited, in a series of Hymns ‎#CCCVI

CCCVI. Travelling in Birth for Souls

1 What contradictions meet
In Ministers Employ!
It is a bitter Sweet
A Sorrow full of Joy:
No other Post affords a Place
For equal Honour, or Disgrace!

2 Who can describe the Pain
Which faithful Preachers feel;
Constrain'd to speak, in vain,
To Hearts as hard as Steel?
Or who can tell the Pleasures felt,
When stubborn Hearts begin to melt?

3 The Saviour's dying Love,
The Soul's amazing Worth,
Their utmost Efforts move,
And draw their bowels forth:
They pray and Strive, their Rest departs,
Till Christ be form'd in Sinners Hearts.

4 If some small Hope appear,
They still are not content;
But with a jealous Fear,
They watch for the Event;
Too oft they find their Hopes deceiv'd,
Then, how their inmost Souls are griev'd!

5 But when their Pain succeed,
And from the tender Blade
The rip'ning Ears proceed,
Their Toils are overpaid:
No harvest Joy can equal theirs,
To find the Fruit of all their Cares.

6 On what has now been sown
Thy Blessing, Lord bestow;
The Pow'r is thine alone,
To make it spring and grow;
Do thou the gracious Harvest raise,
And thou, alone, shalt have the Praise.

Text Information

• First Line: What contradictions meet
• Title: Travelling in Birth for Souls
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1791
• Topic: Spiritual Poverty

Tune Information

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