And when all is over here That the Lord designs in love, For His faithful children dear, Taketh them to courts above, And with great delight in grace Folds them in His warm embrace.
Now 'tis ever full of heart, Full of comfort flowing o'er, Full of wonder, full of art, Full of wisdom, full of pow'r, Full of wonder, still I say, Is love's chaste and gentle sway.
[10]This song used to be sung in Germany after wedding dinners, and in some places on the way to church before solemnization.
SONG OF CONSOLATION FOR MARRIED CHRISTIANS.
Oh, Jesus Christ! how bright and fair The state of holy marriage where Thy blessing rich is given What gracious gifts Thou dost bestow, What streams of blessing ever flow Down from Thy holy heaven, When they True stay To Thee ever, Leave Thee never, Whose troth plighted, In one life have been united.
When man and wife are mated well, In harmony together dwell, Are faithful to each other, The streams of bliss flow constantly What bliss of angels is on high From hence may we discover; No storm, No worm Can destroy it, Can e'er gnaw it, What God giveth To the pair that in Him liveth.
He giveth of His grace the boon, And in its bosom late and soon His own belov'd He keepeth, His arms He daily spreadeth o'er, Guards as a Father by His pow'r Us and our house, nor sleepeth. Still we Must be Here and thither Roaming ever, Till He gives us Pious homes, and thus relieves us.
The husband's like a goodly tree Whose branches spread so fair and free; The wife a vine that giveth Much fruit, and nurtures what it bears, Whose fruit increaseth with the years, Fruit that remains and liveth. Jewel, All hail! Husband's treasure! House's pleasure! Crown of honour! On His throne God thinketh on her.
O wife! the Lord hath chosen thee That from thy womb brought forth should be The folk His church that buildeth; His wondrous work goes on for aye, The mighty word His mouth doth say, What thou beholdest, yieldeth, Sons fair Stand there, Daughters sitting Working, knitting, Finely spinning, And with art time wisely winning.
Be of good cheer, it was not we Who first this order did decree, It was a higher Father, Who lov'd and loveth us for aye, And from whose lips when griev'd each day We friendly counsel gather; Good end He'll send, What we're doing And pursuing, Or conceiving Wise and happy issue giving.