SICKNESS.
And Jesus went about all Galilee, healing all manner of sickness, and all manner of disease among the people.—Matthew, iv. 23.
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.—Matthew, viii. 17.
But chiefly, Thou,
Whom soft-eyed pity once led down from Heaven
To bleed for man, to teach him how to live,
And O, still harder lesson, how to die;
Disdain not Thou to smooth the restless bed
Of sickness and of pain.
Bishop Porteus.
When sickness to my fainting soul
Her fearful form display’d,
I to my secret chamber stole,
And humbly thus I pray’d.
If softened by the impending stroke,
My heart, O Lord, will yield,
In mercy Thy decree revoke,
And let my wound be heal’d.
But if from memory’s tablet soon
Ingratitude would tear
The bounteous giver, and the boon,
Oh, hear not Thou my prayer.
Rather than bear that blackest stain
Within my breast, I’d brave
The keenest throes of restless pain—
The terrors of the grave.
If health’s unmerited return
Should bless my future days,
Oh, may I from Thy Spirit learn
A daily song of praise.
But should I shortly hence depart,
Or, lingering suffer still,
May that blest Spirit, Lord, impart
Submission to Thy will.
Bishop Heber.