Lord, I believe thou hast prepared For me a blood-bought free reward, 'Tis strung, and tuned, for endless years, No other name but thine. XVI. THE SOWER. Matt. xiii. 3. YE sons of earth, prepare the plough, The sower is gone forth to sow, The seed that finds a stony soil, But ill repays the sower's toil, Soon wither'd, scorch'd, and dead. The thorny ground is sure to balk The beaten path and highway side The watchful birds the spoil divide, But where the Lord of grace and power Has bless'd the happy field, How plenteous is the golden store The deep wrought furrows yield! Father of mercies, we have need Let the same hand that gives the seed XVII. THE HOUSE OF PRAYER. Mark xi. 17 THY mansion is the Christian's heart Bid the unruly throng depart, And leave the consecrated door. Devoted as it is to thee, A thievish swarm frequents the place; There, too, a sharp designing trade Sin, Satan, and the world maintain ; I know them, and I hate their din, Am weary of the bustling crowd; But while their voice is heard within, I cannot serve thee as I would. Oh! for the joy thy presence gives What peace shall reign when thou art here! Thy presence makes this den of thieves A calm delightful house of prayer. And if thou make thy temple shine, The gold and silver are not mine, XVIII. LOVEST THOU ME? John xxi. 16. HARK, my soul! it is the Lord: 66 Say, poor sinner, lovest thou me? "I deliver'd thee when bound, And when bleeding, heal'd thy wound; "Can a woman's tender care Cease towards the child she bare? Yes, she may forgetful be, "Mine is an unchanging love, “Thou shalt see my glory soon, Lord, it is my chief complaint, Oh! for grace to love thee more! XIX. CONTENTMENT. Phil. iv. 11. FIERCE passions discompose the mind, In vain by reason and by rule For none but in the Saviour's school Since at his feet my soul has sat, "Art thou a sinner, soul?" he said, "If thou of murmuring wouldst be cured, ""Tis I appoint thy daily lot, And I do all things well; Thou soon shalt leave this wretched spot, And rise with me to dwell. "In life my grace shall strength supply, At death thou still shalt find me nigh, Thus I, who once my wretched days Taught in my Saviour's school of grace, XX. OLD TESTAMENT GOSPel. ISRAEL, in ancient days, Heb. iv. 2. Not only had a view Of Sinai in a blaze, But learn'd the Gospel too; The types and figures were a glass, The paschal sacrifice, And blood-besprinkled door,1 1 Exod. xii. 13. |