898    112th     John Berridge
“A rod for the fool’s back.” Prov. 26. 3; 10. 13

1 I wonder not if giddy men
  Run roving all the world about,
  Pursuing folly with much pain,
  And wearied oft, yet give not out;
  The world must be their fluttering aim,
  Who see no charm in Jesus’ name.

2 Yet none so foolish are and base,
  As those who’ve felt the legal lash,
  And having tasted gospel-grace,
  Good manna leave for earthly trash;
  When such from wisdom’s teaching start,
  A rod shall make their shoulders smart.

3 In vain they seek the world’s relief;
  The Lord will weary them with woe,
  And lash them well with grief on grief,
  With rods and stinging scorpions too;
  They drink of every bitter cup,
  Till, sick, they cast their idols up.

4 My heart, too, after idols sought,
  And rovèd from the gospel track;
  And by such rovings I have brought
  A thousand stripes upon my back;
  Lord, take my foolish heart at last,
  And guide it right, and hold it fast.