Morning, Evening, and Midnight Hymns/A Midnight Hymn (1712)
A Midnight HYMN.
MY GOD, now I from Sleep awake,
The sole Possession of me take,
From Midnight Terrors me secure;
And guard my Heart from Thoughts impure.
Bless'd Angels! while we silent lie,
You Hallelujahs sing on high,
You joyful hymn the ever Bless'd,
Before the Throne and never rest.
I with your Choir Celestial join,
In offering up a Hymn divine,
With you in Heaven I hope to dwell,
And bid the Night and World farewell;
My Soul, when I shake off this Dust,
Lord, in Thy Arms I will intrust.
O make me Thy peculiar Care,
Some Mansion for my Soul prepare.
Give me a place at Thy Saints' Feet,
Or some fall'n Angel's vacant Seat;
I'll strive to sing as loud as they,
Who sit above in brighter Day.
O may I always ready stand,
With my Lamp burning in my Hand;
May I in sight of Heav'n rejoice,
When e'er I hear the Bridegroom's Voice.
All Praise to Thee in Light array'd,
Who Light thy dweling-place hast made.
A boundless Ocean of bright Beams,
From Thy All-glorious God-head streams.
The Sun in its Meridian height,
Is very Darkness in Thy sight!
My Soul, O lighten and inflame,
With Thought and Love of Thy Great Name.
Bless'd Jesu, Thou on Heaven intent,
Whole Nights hast in Devotion spent,
But I, frail Creature, soon am tir'd,
And all my Zeal is soon expir'd.
My Soul, how can'st thou weary grow,
Of antedating Bliss below;
In sacred Hymns, and Heavenly Love,
Which will Eternal be above
Shine on me, Lord, new Life impart,
Fresh Ardours kindle in my Heart;
One Ray of Thy All-quick'ning Light,
Dispels the Sloth and Clouds of Night.
Lord, lest the Tempter me surprize,
Watch over Thine own Sacrifice:
All loose, all idle Thoughts cast out,
And make my very Dreams devout.
Praise God, from whom all Blessings flow,
Praise Him all Creatures here below
Praise Him above ye Heavenly Host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Printed for Daniel Sedgwick, 81, Sun Street, Bishopsgate, by Bowden & Brawn, 13, Princes Street, Holborn.