PREPARATION.
Reading edition
The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.—Proverbs, xvi. 1.
For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.—Isaiah, lxiv. 4.
Prepare to meet thy God.—Amos, iv. 12.
Blaspheme not Heaven with rash, impatient speech, Nor deem, at thine own hour, its rest to reach, Unhappy child! The full-appointed time Is His to choose; and when the sullen chime And deep-toned striking of the funeral bell, Thy fate to earthly ears shall sadly tell, O! may the death thou talk’st of as a boon, Find thee prepared, nor come, even then, too soon! Mrs. Norton.
If no more From its calmed deeps shall rise the fettered sea, If Heaven’s fair bow proclaims the peril o’er; A wreck more fearful yet remains for thee; Time only bears thee to eternity. Tread then the path thy bright Exemplar trod; Think on the day when this vast earth shall be In bursting flames dissolved—yon skies so broad Shrink like a shrivelled scroll.—“Prepare to meet thy God.” Dale.
Prepare me gracious God To stand before thy face! Thy spirit must the work perform For it is all of grace. In Christ’s obedience clothe And wash me in His blood! So shall I lift my hand with joy Among the sons of God. Do thou my sins subdue; Thy sov’reign love make known; The spirit of my mind renew, And save me in thy Son. Anon.