134.  I My Cross Have Taken

1
Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave and follow thee;
Weak and poor, despised, forsaken,
Thou from hence my all shalt be.
Perish ev’ry fond ambition,
All I’ve sought, or hoped, or known,
Yet, how rich is my condition!
God and Christ are still my own.

2
Let the world despise and leave me,
They have left my Saviour too;
Former friends are wont to leave me,
Thou art faithful, thou art true.
And while thou shalt smile upon me,
God of wisdom, love and might,
Foes may hate, and friends may scorn me,
Show thy face and all is bright.

3
Man may trouble and distress me,
This but drives me nearer thee;
Life with trials hard may press me,
Soon my rest will sweeter be.
O! ‘tis not in grief to harm me
While thy love is left to me;
O! ‘twere not in joy to charm me,
Were that joy unmixed with thee.

4
Go, then, earthly name and treasure;
Come, reproach, and scorn and pain;
In thy service pain is pleasure,
With thy favor loss is gain.
I have called thee, Abba, Father;
I have set my heart on thee;
Storms may howl and clouds may gather;
All must work for good to me.

5
Soul, then know thy full salvation;
Rise o’er sin, and fear, and care;
Joy to find, in ev’ry station,
Something still to do or bear.
Think what spirit dwells within thee;
Think what Father’s smiles are thine;
Think how Jesus died to save thee;
Child of heav’n, canst thou repine?