Hymns for the Use of Families, 55

Father, and Friend of human kind,
Supporter of this tottering clay,
I rest on Thee my feeble mind,
On Thee my shrinking flesh I stay,
And, call'd Thy chastisement to bear,
Pour out a calmly pensive prayer.

My life I know secured above,
Hid in those gracious hands Divine;
But O, my heavier care remove,
And claim my unborn child for Thine,
The burden of my womb receive,
Thine, only Thine to die, or live.

If fore-ordain'd to see the light,
It bursts into a world of woe,
Seize the young sinner as Thy right,
Before it good or evil know,
And cleanse in the baptismal flood,
And wash my babe through Jesus' blood.

Even from the sacred laver take,
And guard its favour'd infancy,
Nor ever, Lord, Thy charge forsake,
Nor let Thy charge depart from Thee,
But walk in all Thy righteous ways,
Till meet to see Thy glorious face.