So, separate from the world, his breast There one by one his spirit saw, Of things divine the shadows bright, Through gold and gems, a dazzling maze, And ended, where unearthly rays From o'er the Ark were shed. Yet not that gorgeous place, nor aught The void was still the same. "Shew me thy glory, gracious Lord! ""Tis Thee," he cries, "not thine, I seek k." iSee that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. Hebrews viii. 5. Exodus xxxiii. 18. Nay, start not at so bold a word From man, frail worm and weak: The spark of his first deathless fire The holiest creature, dares aspire The eye in smiles may wander round, Caught by earth's shadows as they fleet; But for the soul no help is found, Save Him, who made it, meet. Spite of yourselves, ye witness this *, This witness bore the saints of old When highest rapt and favour'd most, Still seeking precious things untold, Not in fruition lost. VOL. II. k Persees de Pascal, part 1, art. viii. E Canaan was theirs, and in it all The proudest hope of kings dare claim; Fire from Jehovah came. Yet monarchs walk'd as pilgrims still In their own land, earth's pride and grace; Their Lord's averted face. Vainly they tried the deeps to sound Even of their own prophetic thought, But He their aching gaze repress'd For not without us fully bless'd' Or perfect might they be. The rays of the Almighty's face No sinner's eye might then receive; 1 Hebrews xl. 40. That they without us should not be made perfect. Only the meekest man found grace m To see his skirts and live. But we as in a glass espy The glory of His countenance, Not in a whirlwind hurrying by The too presumptuous glance, But with mild radiance every hour Sprinkled with his atoning blood Safely before our God we stand, As on the rock the Prophet stood, Bless'd eyes, which see the things we see! Beheld, and not belov'd. m Exod. xxxiii. 20...23. |