Page:Olney Hymns - 1840.djvu/113

BOOK I. 1 HONEY though the bee prepares, An en venom d sting he wears ; Piercing thorns a guard compose Round the fragrant blooming rose.

2 Where we think to find a sweet, Oft a painful sting we meet ; When the rose invites our eye, We forget the thorn is nigh.

3 Why are thus our hopes beguiled ? Why are all our pleasures spoil d ? Why do agony and woe From our choicest comforts grow ?

4 Sin has been the cause of all ! Twas not thus before the fall: What but pain and thorn and sting From the root of sin can spring ?

5 Now with every good we find Vanity and grief entwined ; What we feel or what we fear All our joys embitter here.

6 Yet, through the Redeemer s love, These afflictions blessings prove ; He the wounding stings and thorns Into healing med cines turns.

7 From the earth our hearts they wean, Teach us on his arm to lean ; Urge us to a throne of grace ; Make us seek a resting-place.

8 In the mansions of our King Sweets abound without a sting ; Thornless there the roses blow, And the joys unmingled flow,