Before, or in, Their Work

Let heathenish boys
In their pastimes rejoice.
And be foohshly happy at play;
Overstock'd if they are,
We have nothing to spare.
Not a moment to trifle away.

Our minds to unbend,
We need not offend,
Or our Saviour by idleness grieve:
Whatsoever we do,
Our end is in view.
And to Jesus's glory we live.

Recreation of mind
We in exercise find.
And our bodily strength is renew'd:
New employment is ease,
And our pleasure to please,
By our labour, a merciful God.

Our hearts and our hands
He justly demands,
And both to our Lord we resign;
Overpaid, -if He smile
On our innocent toil,
And accept as a service Divine.

In our useful employ
We His blessing enjoy,
Whether clearing or digging the ground;
With songs we proclaim
Our Immanuel's name,
And our angels attend to the sound.

The meadow and field
True pleasure do yield,
When to either with Jesus we go;
Or a paradise find,
Like the head of mankind.
And our pains on a garden bestow.

Howsoever employ'd.
In the presence of God,
We our forfeited Eden regain;
And delightfully rise
To our Lord in the skies,
In His fulness of glory to reign.