My labouring spirit vainly seeks With how much tenderness he speaks, Nor were it wise, nor should I choose, Like precious wines their taste they lose, But this with boldness I proclaim, Sweet is the ointment of his name, And can you frown, my former friends, And blame the song that thus commends Trust me, I draw the likeness true, And not as fancy paints; Such honour may he give to you, For such have all his saints. XLIX-JOY AND PEACE IN BELIEVING SOMETIMES a light surprises The Christian while he sings; It is the Lord who rises With healing on his wings : In holy contemplation E'en let the unknown to-morrow It can bring with it nothing, Will give his children bread. Though vine nor fig tree neither His praise shall tune my voice; L.-TRUE PLEASURES. LORD, my soul with pleasure springs And when God the Spirit brings Still delighted I perceive; Clothed in sanctity and grace, Those who love thee as they pass, What we owe to love divine; Those the comforts I possess, LI. THE CHRISTIAN. HONOUR and happiness unite To make the Christian's name a praise; How fair the scene, how clear the light, That fills the remnant of his days! A kingly character he bears, No change his priestly office knows; His robe is of the ethereal dye, Nor stoops to take applause from earth; And shout him welcome to the skies! LII.-LIVELY HOPE AND GRACIOUS FEAR. I WAS a groveling creature once, I wanted spirit to renounce The clod that gave me birth. But God hath breathed upon a worm, And sent me from above Wings such as clothe an angel's form, With these to Pisgah's top I fly, The Lord of all the vast domain The length and breadth of all the plain How glorious is my privilege! I stand upon a mountain's edge, Though much exalted in the Lord, LIII. FOR THE POOR. WHEN Hagar found the bottle spent, A message from the Lord was sent Should not Elijah's cake and cruse A gracious God will not refuse His saints and servants shall be fed, "Bread shall be given them," as he said, Repasts far richer they shall prove, To Jesus then your trouble bring, While you are poor and He is king, LIV. MY SOUL THIRSTETH FOR GOD. I THIRST, but not as once I did, The vain delights of earth to share; That I should seek my pleasures there. It was the sight of thy dear cross First weaned my soul from earthly things; And taught me to esteem as dross The mirth of fools and pomp of kings. I want that grace that springs from thee, Dear fountain of delight unknown! LV.-LOVE CONSTRAINING TO OBEDIENCE. No strength of nature can suffice To serve the Lord aright: And what she has she misapplies, How long beneath the law I lay Then, to abstain from outward sin I feel I hate it too. Then all my servile works were done Now, freely chosen in the Son, I freely choose his ways. "What shall I do," was then the word, Is my inquiry now. To see the law by Christ fulfilled, And hear his pardoning voice, LVI-THE HEART HEALED AND CHANGED BY MERCY. SIN enslaved me many years, And make the Lord my friend?" Friends and ministers said much But my blindness still was such, I chose a legal course: Much I fasted, watched, and strove, Feared almost to speak or move, A stranger still to God. Thus afraid to trust his grace, Long time did I rebel; Till despairing of my case, Down at his feet I fell : Then my stubborn heart he broke, And subdued me to his sway; |