Verse 1
Forward I now in duties go,
But O! My Saviour is not there!
Heavy he makes me drive, and slow,
Without the chariot-wheels of prayer.
Verse 2
I look to former times, and strain
The footsteps of my God to trace;
Backward I go (but still in vain)
To find the tokens of his grace.
Verse 3
Surrounded by his power I stand,
His work on other souls I see,
He deals his gifts on either hand,
But still he hides himself from me.
Verse 4
Groaning I languish at his stay,
But he regards my every groan;
Dark and disconsolate my way;
But still my way to him is known.
Verse 5
When fully he my faith hath tried,
Like gold I in the fire shall shine,
Come forth when seven times purified,
And strongly bear the stamp divine.