[Afflictions are not from the dust]

1. Afflictions are not from the dust,

Nor are they in vain sent:

But they shall work the work of him,

That is most nobly Bent.

2. Then let thine eyes look upon him,

Which worketh in the dark;

And let thine heart embrace his love,

Least thou from him should’st start.

3. Although thou canst not see his work,

Yet waite on him with joy;

For none shall hinder now his work,

Nor none shall him Anoy.

4. Thou must be willing to take up

The cross, to follow him,

And waite till he will make his cup,

To flow up to the brim.

5. Seeing thou are now called unto

The purpose of his will,

Let not afflictions trouble thee,

Believe, and stand thou still.

6. If that the Lord did not thee love,

He would not this pains take,

To let thee see his grace in thee,

And also thee awake.

7. It scowers away the drosse from thee,

And takes away thy time:

It makes thy soul fit for to hear

The voice of thy Sweet King.

8. It makes the soul further to know

The Sonship of his grace;

And weanes the soul from things below,

That it may seek his face.

9. It puts the wise to see his work,

And puts him in the way,

That he may forthwith seek the Lord,

Without further delay.

10. It makes him now resolve upon

Obedience to his grace;

And watchful in the way he goes,

That he may seek his face.

11. It makes him look for strength from God,

To heale his sliding back:

It makes him look up to the Rock,

For that which he doe lack.

Text: A Christian Woman’s Experiences of the Glorious Working of God’s Free Grace (Rotterdam: Henry Goddeus, 1663), p. 42. Sutton prefaced this hymn with the following statement: "And while the afflicting hand of God was upon mee in some measure, this following was given in one evening, as a song of instruction."