William Cowper

Olney Hymn 35. Welcome Cross

    'Tis my happiness below
        Not to live without the cross, 
    But the Saviour's power to know,
        Sanctifying every loss; 
    Trials must and will befall;
        But with humble faith to see 
    Love inscribed upon them all,
        This is happiness to me.

    God in Israel sows the seeds
        Of affliction, pain, and toil; 
    These spring up and choke the weeds
        Which would else o'erspread the soil: 
    Trials make the promise sweet,
        Trials give new life to prayer; 
    Trials bring me to His feet,
        Lay me low, and keep me there.

    Did I meet no trials here,
        No chastisement by the way, 
    Might I not with reason fear
        I should prove a castaway? 
    Bastards may escape the rod,
        Sunk in earthly vain delight; 
    But the true-born child of God
        Must not -- would not, if he might.