Classic Poem

Meditation IV

1

O Man of little faith!
Behold the winged Fowls,
The Ravens, Crows, and Cormorants
The Kites, the Hawks, the Owls,
Also the numerous Doves
Whose flocks make dark the Air:
And tell me who for all this Crew
Doth kindly food prepare.

2

The Heavenly Father's wise
And wondrous Providence
Gives unto all these Multitudes
Their daily sustenance.
Doth God take care of Fowls
And hear the Ravens cry?
And can he see his Saints in want
And not their wants supply?

3

He that did not withhold
From death his onely Son,
But gave him up, that we through him
Might gain Salvation:
He that hath given us
An interest in his Blood,
Will not deny us lesser things
That may promote our good

3

He that did not withhold
From death his onely Son,
But gave him up, that we through him
Might gain Salvation:
He that hath given us
An interest in his Blood,
Will not deny us lesser things
That may promote our good

5

For Meat and Drink and Clothes
What need the Child take care
That hath a Father Kind and Rich
To tender his welfare?
Thy Father is more kind
Then Earthly Fathers be:
Amongst them all there's none so wise
Nor none so rich as He

6

If Kind, he wants not will;
If Rich, he wants not power:
If Wise, he knows what's best to give,
And when's the fittest hour
He knows what be thy want,
Before thou them declare:
And oft bestows before thou ask
The things that needful are.

7

He hath thy wants prevented,
Rather than wants supply'd:
And not without great cause thy Suit
At other times deny'd
He knows what things will most
Unto thy weal conduce:
And when such things as may do good
Will be of greatest use

8

Thou oft hast try'd his Love,
And found his readiness
To give thee succour and supplies,
Whenever in distress.
Let past Experiences
Make thee in him confide:
Who will for all that in him trust
Most seas'nably provide

9

Thou wantest thankfulness:
This calleth for complaint
Against thy self: of other things
Thou hast no present want.
Oh get a thankful Heart;
Christ can this want supply:
And if thou seek it seriously,
Will not thy suit deny.