BENIGNITY.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.—Psalm xxiii. 6.
Thou Lord art good, and ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.—Psalm lxxxvi. 5.
The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.—Psalm cxlv. 9.
This turn hath, made amends! Thou hast fulfilled
Thy words, Creator bounteous and benign,
Giver of all things fair!
Milton.
He comes not in the pride of martial pomp,
High in triumphal chariot, while around
The poor remains of vanquished kingdoms grace
The trophied car; not such as Judah’s sons,
By empire’s flattering dreams misled, conceived,
Vindictive monarch over prostrate Rome.
Beyond the confines of this nether world.
At the right hand of the Almighty Sire,
Enthroned he sits; no partial King, to all
Who unfeigned homage offer, He, benign,
The treasure of his boundless love vouchsafes.
Samuel Hayes.
Divinest creed! and worthy to be taught
By Him, the Saviour, who thy tidings brought;
Thou wert the first, descending from above,
To teach the nations that their God was love;
That ire eternal dwelt not on His face,
But love and pity, and redeeming grace.
And all the joy this world since then has known,
Springs from this creed, and springs from this alone;
Whatever triumphs have been gained by mind
O’er Error, Hate, and Ignorance combined;
Whatever progress man may yet have made,
Owes all its worth to Thy benignant aid.
C. Mackay.
O, Saviour, gracious and benign,
Warm and illume this heart of mine,
Disperse the fogs and mists of sin,
And let no evil lurk therein:
Let me Thy love and goodness see—
Thy merciful benignity.
Anon.