282    7s     WIlliam Cowper
Welcome Cross. Rom. 5. 3; Heb. 12. 5-11; 1 Pet. 1. 6

1 ’Tis my happiness below,
  Not to live without the cross,
  But the Saviour’s power to know,
  Sanctifying every loss.

2 Trials must and will befall;
  But with humble faith to see
  Love inscribed upon them all,
  This is happiness to me.

3 Trials make the promise sweet;
  Trials give new life to prayer;
  Trials bring me to his feet,
  Lay me low and keep me there.

4 Did I meet no trials here,
  No chastisement by the way,
  Might I not with reason fear
  I should be a castaway?

5 Bastards may escape the rod,
  Sunk in earthly, vain delight;
  But the true-born child of God
  Must not, would not if he might.