Retrospect and Prospect

SUPREME RULER OF THE VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE WORLDS,

My heart is drawn out to thee
        for thy amazing grace and condescension.
Thou hast kept my conversion fresh before me,
  that season of my first spiritual comfort
    when I passed through the Red Sea
    by a way I did not expect.
I rejoiced then for that unthought-of passage,
  that delivered me from the fear of the Egyptian
    when I had almost despaired of life.
I rejoice now as these things are fresh and lively
    in my mind.
My soul melts when I think of thy days of old
    with me,
  when a poor worthless creature
    without wisdom to direct or strength
      to help myself
  was laid under the happy necessity
    of living upon thee and finding thy
      consolations large.
Thou art my divine treasury in whom
    all fullness dwells,
  my life, hope, joy, peace, glory, end;
May I be daily more and more conformed to thee,
  with the meekness and calmness of the Lamb
    in my soul,
  and a feeling sense of the felicity of heaven,
    where I long to join angels free from
      imperfections,
    where in me the image of my adored Saviour
      will be completely restored,
  so that I may be fit for his enjoyments
    and employments.
I am not afraid to look the king of terrors
    in the face,
  for I know I shall be drawn, not driven,
    out of the world.
Until then let me continually glow and burn out
    for thee,
  and when the last great change shall come
  let me awake in thy likeness,
  leaving behind me an example that will
    glorify thee
  while my spirit rejoices in heaven,
  and my memory is blessed upon earth,
  with those who follow me praising thee
    for my life.

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