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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A HYMN ON SIMPLICITY by ANONYMOUS

First Line: JESU! TEACH THIS HEART OF MINE
Last Line: "AMEN TO MY SOUL, - HALLELUJAH TO THEE!"
Subject(s): SIMPLICITY;

JESU! teach this heart of mine
True @3simplicity@1 to find;
Child-like, innocent, divine,
Free from @3guile@1 of ev'ry kind:
And since, when amongst us vouchsafing to live,
So pure an example it pleas'd Thee to give;
O! let me keep still the bright pattern in view,
And be, after thy likeness, right simple and true.

When I read, or when I hear
Truths that kindle good desires;
How to act, and how to bear
What heav'n-instructed faith requires;
Let no subtle fancies e'er lead me astray,
Or teach me to comment thy doctrines away;
No reas'nings of selfish corruption within,
Nor sleights by which satan deludes us to sin.

Whilst I pray before thy face,
Thou! who art my highest good!
O! confirm to me the grace,
Purchas'd by thy precious blood:
That, with a true filial affection of heart,
I may feel what a real Redeemer thou art;
And, thro' thy Atonement to justice above,
Be receiv'd, as a child, by the Father of love.

Give me, with a child-like mind,
Simply to believe thy word;
And to do whate'er I find
Pleases best my dearest Lord:
Resolving to practise thy gracious commands;
To resign myself wholly up into thy hands:
That, regarding Thee simply in all my employ,
I may cry, "Abba! Father!" with dutiful joy.

Nor within me, nor without,
Let @3hypocrisy@1 reside;
But whate'er I go about,
Mere @3Simplicity@1 be guide:
Simplicity guide me in word and in will;
Let me live—let me die—in simplicity still:
Of an epitaph made me let this be the whole—
@3Here lies a true child, that was simple of soul.@1

Jesu! now I fix my heart,
Prince of life! and Source of bliss!
Never from Thee to depart,
Till thy love shall grant me this:
Then, then, shall my heart all its faculties raise,
Both @3here@1, and @3hereafter@1, to sing to thy praise:
O! joyful! My Saviour says "So let it be!"
AMEN @3to my soul@1,—HALLELUJAH @3to thee!@1



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