And charge us to submit

And charge us to submit,
May we not humbly persevere
In pleading for a life so dear,
In weeping at Thy feet?

Foolish, and blind to what is best,
We urge, yet check our fond request,
With resignation cry,
Save him — the vessel of Thy grace,
Save him — and for Thy glory raise,
While at the point to die.

Thou didst not blame the father's prayer,
Beseeching Thee his son to spare
Just gasping out his breath:
Thy mercy hasten'd to his aid,
Thy love the parting spirit stay'd,
And rescued him from death.

Another in distress and pain,
Did he apply to Thee in vain,
In vain for succour groan?
Thy pity felt Thy creature's grief,
Removed his helpless unbelief,
And gave him back his son.

Thou couldst not, Lord, Thy help deny,
Regardless of a mother's cry
For her own child oppress'd:
With pleasing importunity
She wrestled, and obtain'd of Thee
Her violent request.

Thy mercy evermore the same
For our afflicted child we claim
Whose dying weight we bear,
Unanswer'd still our suit repeat,
And cry for mercy at Thy feet
In agony of prayer.

Thou dost not yet relief afford,
Or speak one comfortable word
In our extreme distress,
As seeming to condemn our fears,
And frown in silence at our tears,
And hide Thy angry face.

Answer, Thou suffering Son of man,
May we not patiently complain,
And feel our threaten'd loss,
Under so huge a burden stoop,
Or deprecate the bitter cup,
Or faint beneath the cross?

Thy mild humanity Divine
Shall help us meekly to resign,
If Thou resume Thine own:
We trust in that tremendous hour,
To say, through love's almighty power,
Thy sovereign will be done.

But if our cry hath reach'd Thy heart,
If still the Man of griefs Thou art,
The Friend of misery,
Thou wilt restore our heart's desire,
With strength to give him back entire
A sacrifice to Thee.