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Patriotism, Courage and Comfort
Jesus Christ, Wordsworth and Cowper

      
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Jesus Christ - The Holy Bible

      
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Peace I leave with you, my peace I give
      unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your
      heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27)

      
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of
      wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must
      come to pass, but the end is not yet (Matt. 24:6).



      For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our
      king. Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst,
      I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one
      chosen out of the people. ...with my holy oil have I anointed
      him: With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall
      strengthen him. The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son
      of wickedness afflict him. And I will beat down his foes before
      his face, and plague them that hate him. But my faithfulness
      and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn
      be exalted. (Ps. 89:18-24) 

      

      
My subtitles and notes below in italics.

      
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WILLIAM WORDSWORTH,
      one of Englands most prolific writers, here writes on England,
      freedom, valor and right.

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2003: Upon Christian principles

      

        

          
 ...In our halls is hung
        
      

      
Armory of the invincible Knights of old:
We must be free or die, who

      

        
speak the tongue
      

      
That Shakespeare spake; the faith

      

        
and morals hold
      

      
Which Milton held...

      
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      NOVEMBER 1806

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2003: "To the nations."

      
...And we are left, or shall be left alone;
The last that dare to struggle with the Foe.
'Tis well! from this day forward we shall know
That in ourselves our safety must be sought;
That by our own right hands it must be wrought;
That we must stand unpropped, or be laid low.
O dastard who such foretaste doth not cheer
We shall exult, if they who rule the land
Be men who hold its many blessings dear,
Wise, upright, valiant; not a servile band,
Who are to judge of danger which they fear,
And honor, which they do not understand.

      
Note: The last two lines are asking,
      "Who are the cowardly nations to judge our courage, valor
      and right actions seeing that they do not understand them?"
      Fear is equated with slavery (servile) just as faith and confidence
      are equated with bravery and boldness: The LORD is on my side;
      I will not fear: what can man do unto me? Ps. 118:6 

      

      
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      1802

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2003: Let us repent.

      

        
O Friend! I know not which way I must look
        

          
For comfort, being, as I am, opprest,
        
        
To think that now our life is only drest
      

      
For show; mean handiwork of craftsman, cook,
Or groom! - We must run glittering like a brook

      

        
In the open sunshine, or we are unblest.
The wealthiest man among us is the best:
      

      
No grandeur now in Nature or in book
Delights us. Rapine, avarice, expense,

      

        
This is idolotry; and these we adore:
Plain living and high thinking are no more:
The homely beauty of the good old cause
      

      
Is gone; our peace, our fearful innocence,

      

        
And pure religion breathing household laws.
      

      
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WILLIAM COWPER (1731
      - 1800) lived and worked with John Newton, author of Amazing
      Grace. He was Evangelical but plagued, at times, with depsondency,
      having lost his mother at six and having been bullied in boarding
      schools when very young.

      
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Exhortation to Prayer

      


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      What various hindrances we meet 

      In coming to a mercy-seat! 

      Yet who that knows the worth of pray'r, 

      But wishes to be often there?

      
Pray'r makes the dark'ned cloud withdraw,


      Pray'r climbs the ladder Jacob saw; 

      Gives exercise to faith and love, 

      Brings ev'ry blessing from above.

      
Restraining pray'r, we cease to fight;


      Pray'r makes the Christian's armour bright; 

      And Satan trembles, when he sees 

      The weakest saint upon his knees.

      
While Moses stood with arms spread wide,


      Success was found on Israel's side; 

      But when thro' weariness they fail'd, 

      That moment Amalek prevail'd.

      
Have you no words! Ah, think again, 

      Words flow apace when you complain; 

      And fill your fellow-creature's ear 

      With the sad tale of all your care.

      
Were half the breath thus vainly spent,


      To heav'n in supplication sent; 

      Your cheerful song would oft'ner be, 

      "Hear what the LORD has done for me!"

      
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Light Shining Out of Darkness

      


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      God moves in a mysterious way, 

           His wonders to perform; 

      He plants his footsteps in the sea, 

           And rides upon the storm.

      
Deep in unfathomable mines 

           Of never failing skill, 

      He treasures up his bright designs, 

           And works his sovereign will.

      
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,


           The clouds ye so much dread 

      Are big with mercy, and shall break 

           In blessings on your head.

      
Judge not the LORD by feeble sense, 

           But trust him for his grace; 

      Behind a frowning providence, 

           He hides a smiling face.

      
His purposes will ripen fast, 

           Unfolding ev'ry hour; 

      The bud may have a bitter taste, 

           But sweet will be the flow'r.

      
Blind unbelief is sure to err, 

           And scan his work in vain; 

      GOD is his own interpreter, 

           And he will make it plain. 





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