616    7s     W. Gadsby
Reproach of Christ Esteemed by Faith. Heb. 11. 26

1 Precious Jesus! must it be,
  Is it thy all-wise decree,
  That afflictions must attend
  Zion to her journey’s end?

2 [Must the heirs of endless bliss
  Travel through a wilderness,
  And, by savage beasts of prey,
  Be tormented night and day?]

3 Yes, affliction is their lot;
  Earth is a polluted spot,
  Where a million evils dwell,
  All in league with death and hell.

4 Pains and sorrows, sins and woes,
  Will the Christian’s way oppose;
  Every day brings something new,
  Zion’s troubles to renew.

5 Yet, when faith is strong and true,
  They with cheerfulness go through,
  Scorning all created good,
  When opposed to Christ, their God.

6 Living faith will still esteem
  The reproaches of the Lamb,
  Greater riches than this earth
  Can afford the sons of mirth.

7 O for faith this choice to make,
  And endure, for Jesus’ sake,
  The reproaches of his cross,
  Counting all things else but dross!