I Have waited for thy salvation, O God! Having received thy first fruits, my soul longs to fill its besom with the §1full ripe sheaves of Glory. As the Hart panteth for the water brooks, 1so panteth my soul for thee, O God! O, when shall I come and appear before God? I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ. When shall I see that most lovely face? When shall I hear his soul-transporting voice? Some need patience to dye, I need it as much to live! Thy sights, O God, by faith, have made this world a burden, this body a burden, and this soul to cry like thirsty David, O that one would give me of the waters of Bethlehem to drink! The Husbandman longs for his Harvest, because it is the reward of all his toil and labour; but what is his harvest to mine? what is a little corn to the enjoyment of God? What is the joy of harvest, to the joy of heaven? what are the shoutings of men in the fields, to the acclamations of glorified spirits in the kingdom of God? Lord, I have gone forth bearing more precious •eed that they; when shall I return rejoicing, bringing my sheaves with me? Their harvest comes when they receive their corn, mine comes when I leave it. O much desired harvest! O day of the gladness of my heart! How long Lord! How long! Here I wait as the poor man Bethesda's pool, looking when my turn will come, but every one steps into heaven before me; yet Lord, I am ⟨p. 127⟩content to wait till my time be fully come. I would be content to stay for my glorification, till I have finished the work of my generation; and when I have done the will of God, then to receive the promise. If thou have any work on earth to use me in, I am content to abide: Behold, the Husbandman waiteth, and so will I; for thou art a God of judgement, and blessed are are all they that wait for thee.
I Have waited for thy salvation, O God! Having received thy first fruits, my soul longs to fill its besome with the §1full ripe sheaves of Glory. As the Hart panteth for the water brooks, 1so panteth my soul for thee, O God! O, when shall I come and appear before God? I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ. When shall I see that most lovely face? When shall I hear his soul-transporting voice? Some need patience to dye, I need it as much to live! Thy sights, O God, by faith, have made this world a burden, this body a burden, and this soul to cry like thirsty David, O that one would give me of the waters of Bethlehem to drink! The Husbandman longs for his Harvest, because it is the reward of all his toyl and labour; but what is his harvest to mine? what is a little corn to the enjoyment of God? What is the joy of harvest, to the joy of heaven? what are the shoutings of men in the fields, to the acclamations of glorified spirits in the kingdome of God? Lord, I have gone forth bearing more precious •eed that they; when shall I return rejoyceing, bringing my sheaves with me? Their harvest comes when they receive their corn, mine comes when I leave it. O much desired harvest! O day of the gladness of my heart! How long Lord! How long! Here I wait as the poor man Bethesda's pool, looking when my turn will come, but every one steps into heaven before me; yet Lord, I am ⟨p. 127⟩content to wait till my time be fully come. I would be content to stay for my glorification, till I have finisht the work of my generation; and when I have done the will of God, then to receive the promise. If thou have any work on earth to use me in, I am content to abide: Behold, the Husbandman waiteth, and so will I; for thou art a God of judgement, and blessed are are all they that wait for thee.
- 1The longing •ouls reflection
