A DIVINE HYMN PREPARATIVE TO PRAYER. WHEN to thy God thou speak'st, O creature mean, Lift up pure hands, Lay down all foul desires: Fix thoughts on heaven, Present a conscience clean; Such holy balm To mercy's throne aspires: Confess faults' guilt, Crave pardon for thy sin; Tread holy paths, Call grace to guide therein. It is the spirit With reverence must obey Our Maker's will, To practise what He taught. Make not the flesh Thy counsel when thou pray; 'Tis enemy To every virtuous thought: It is the foe We daily feed and clothe, It is the prison That the soul doth loathe. Even as Elias, Mounting to the sky, Did cast his mantle To the earth behind: |