Why cannot I make plain, to sinful men,
The heavenly kingdom that within me lies?
That kingdom lies not far beyond their ken,
Although its glory's hidden from their eyes.
A veil there is! a veil, like that of old,
Which hid the Christ from Jewish, Gentile mind;
That they could not his wondrous life behold,
But to his wisdom and his grace were blind!
That veil is on the heart; unfelt, unseen
By worldly men, who will not truth receive;
In vain heaven's light would penetrate the screen,
That they might on the truth of God believe;
His glorious kingdom to their souls is near,
They see it not! nor can its welcome hear!