'Tis my happiness below <br />Not to live without the cross, <br />But the Saviour's power to know, <br />Sanctifying every loss; <br />Trials must and will befall; <br />But with humble faith to see <br />Love inscribed upon them all, <br />This is happiness to me. <br /> <br />God in Israel sows the seeds <br />Of affliction, pain, and toil; <br />These spring up and choke the weeds <br />Which would else o'erspread the soil: <br />Trials make the promise sweet, <br />Trials give new life to prayer; <br />Trials bring me to His feet, <br />Lay me low, and keep me there. <br /> <br />Did I meet no trials here, <br />No chastisement by the way, <br />Might I not with reason fear <br />I should prove a castaway? <br />Bastards may escape the rod, <br />Sunk in earthly vain delight; <br />But the true-born child of God <br />Must not -- would not, if he might.<br /><br />William Cowper<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/welcome-cross/
