1 Oh, how the thought of God attracts
And draws the heart from earth,
And sickens it of passing shows
And dissipating mirth!
2 'Tis not enough to save our souls,
To shun th' eternal fires;
The thought of God will rouse the heart
To more sublime desires.
3 God only is the creature's home,
Though rough and straight the road;
Yet nothing less can satisfy
The love that longs for God.
4 Oh, utter but the Name of God
Down in your heart of hearts,
And see how from the world at once
All tempting light departs.
5 A trusting heart, a yearning eye,
Can win their way above;
If mountains can be moved by faith,
Is there less power in love?
6 How little of that road, my soul!
How little hast thou gone!
Take heart, and let the thought of God
Allure thee further on.
7 The freedom from all willful sin,
The Christian's daily task;
Oh! These are graces far below
What longing love would ask!
8 The perfect way is hard to flesh;
It is not hard to love;
If thou wert sick from want of God,
How swiftly wouldst thou move!
9 Then keep thy conscience sensitive;
No inward token miss:
And go where grace entices thee —
Perfection lies in this.