O Lord,
I live here as a fish in a vessel of water,
only enough to
keep me alive,
but in heaven I shall swim in the
ocean.
Here I have a little
air in me to keep me breathing,
but there I shall have sweet and
fresh gales;
Here I have a beam
of sun to lighten my darkness,
a warm ray to keep me from
freezing;
yonder I shall live in light and
warmth for ever.
My natural desires
are corrupt and misguided,
and it is thy mercy to destroy
them;
My spiritual
longings are of thy planting,
and thou wilt water and increase
them;
Quicken my hunger
and thirst after
the realm above.
Here I can have the
world,
there I shall have thee in
Christ;
Here is a life of
longing and prayer,
there is assurance without
suspicion,
asking without
refusal;
Here are gross
comforts, more burden
than benefit,
there is joy without sorrow,
comfort without
suffering,
love without
inconstancy,
rest without
weariness.
Give me to know that
heaven is all love,
where the eye affects the heart,
and the continual
viewing of thy beauty
keeps the soul in
continual transports
of
delight.
Give me to know that
heaven is all peace,
where error, pride, rebellion,
passion
raise no head.
Give me to know that
heaven is all joy,
the end of believing, fasting,
praying,
mourning, humbling,
watching,
fearing, repining;
And lead me to it
soon.