335 S.M. John Berridge
Crosses at the Control of Christ. Heb. 12. 5; Job 5. 17
1
Poor angry bosom, hush,
 
Nor discontented grow;
 
But at thy own sad folly blush,
 
Which breedeth all the woe.
2
If sick, or lame, or poor,
 
Or by the world abhorred,
 
Whatever cross lies at thy door,
 
It cometh from the Lord.
3
The lions will not tear,
 
The billows cannot heave,
 
The furnace shall not singe thy hair,
 
Till Jesus give them leave.
4
The Lord is just and true,
 
And upright in his way;
 
He loves, but will correct us too,
 
Whene’er we run astray.
5
[With caution we should tread,
 
For as we sow we reap,
 
And oft bring mischief on our head,
 
By some unwary step.]
6
Lord, plant a godly fear
 
Before my roving eyes,
 
Lest some hid snake or wily snare
 
My heedless feet surprise.
7
Or should I start aside,
 
And meet a scourging God,
 
Let not my heart grow stiff with pride,
 
But weep and kiss the rod.