Love Tokens

I

Afflictions do not come alone,
A voice attends the rod;
By both he to his saints is known,
A Father and a God.

II

“Let not my children slight the stroke
I for chastisement send,
Nor faint beneath my kind rebuke,
For still I am their Friend.

III

“The wicked I perhaps may leave
Awhile, and not reprove;
But all the children I receive,
I scourge, because I love.

IV

“If therefore you were left without
This needful discipline,
You might with cause admit a doubt
If you indeed were mine.

V

“Shall earthly parents then expect
Their children to submit?
And will not you, when I correct,
Be humbled at my feet?

VI

“To please themselves they oft chastise,
And put their sons to pain;
But you are precious in my eyes,
And shall not smart in vain.

VII

“I see your hearts at present fill’d
With grief and deep distress;
But soon these bitter seeds shall yield
The fruits of righteousness.”

VIII

Break through the clouds, dear Lord, and shine!
Let us perceive thee nigh!
And to each mourning child of thine
These gracious words apply.