The Spider and Bee

I

On the same flow’r we often see
The loathsome spider and the bee;
But what they get by working there
Is diff’rent as their natures are.

II

The bee a sweet reward obtains,
And honey well repays his pains;
Home to the hive he bears the store,
And then returns in quest of more.

III

But no sweet flow rs that grace the field
Can honey to the spider yield;
A cobweb all that he can spin,
And poison all the stores within.

IV

Thus in that sacred field, the Word,
With flow’rs of God’s own planting stored.
Like bees his children feed and thrive,
And bring home honey to the hive.

V

There, spider-like, the wicked come,
And seem to taste the sweet perfume;
But the vile venom of their hearts
To poison all their food converts.

VI

From the same truths believers prize
They weave vain refuges of lies;
And from the promise license draw
To trifle with the holy law.

VII

Lord, shall thy word of life and love
The means of death to numbers prove?
Unless thy grace our hearts renew
We sink to hell with heaven in view.