The determination of faith.
1 WHY should earthly beauties tear me
From the fountain of all bliss,
From that Lord, who waits to bear me
To a happier land than this?
2 Faith already seems beginning
To approach that land of rest,
Where I shall have done with sinning,
And with endless peace be blest.
3 Hasting to those heavenly treasures,
Meaner joys I leave behind;
Earth, with all its boasted pleasures,
Shall not move my steadfast mind.
of faith.-John vi. 66, &c.
1 WHEN faithless professors depart
From Jesus, whom once they ador'd,
His voice seems to sound on each heart;
Will ye too abandon your Lord?
2 Dear Saviour, to whom shall we go?
What other defence can we find?
Can worldly enjoyments bestow
Relief to the sorrowing mind?
3 Can riches or pleasure supply
The comfort we long to obtain ?
Can friendship forbid us to sigh,
Or cheer the dark season of pain?
4 No; this world has nothing to give
But pain, disappointment, and grief;
Through thee, Lord, alone can we live,
In thee is our only relief.
5 The words of salvation are thine;
And sinners, redeem'd by thy love,
In glory for ever shall shine,
And rest in the mansions above.
6 Lord, grant us this blessing to find;
From worldly deceits make us free;
And send down thy Spirit to bind
Our warmest affections to thee.
The confidence of faith.-Rom. viii. 28, 35.
1 CEASE, O my soul, thy fond complaint,
Why should thy confidence grow faint?
Why doubt the faithfulness and love
Of him who pleads for thee above?
2 Is not his word enough to cheer
Thy gloom, and dissipate thy fear?
Doth not his love thy steps attend?
And canst thou want with such a Friend?
3 When first thou didst a Saviour find,
Sin's painful fetters to unbind;
His love engaged thy steps to lead,
And help in every time of need.
4 Has he not prov'd his faithful care,
In soothing grief, and answering prayer?
Has he not issued his decree
That all shall work for good to thee?
5 Yes, gracious Lord, I see thee nigh;
Thou wilt not leave my soul to die;
Thy strength impart, thy peace restore,
And grant that I may doubt no more.
The application of faith.-Matt. xii. 20.
1 BEFORE thy cross, my dying Lord,
I cast my soul, and trust thy love;
O here thy saving power afford,
And seal my pardon from above.
2. No threatening foes shall drive me hence,
Helpless and fainting I draw near;
Resolv'd, (for 'tis my last defence,)
If I must die, to perish here.
3 But, Saviour, for thy mercy's sake,
Relieve the anguish of my heart;
The bruised reed thou wilt not break,
Nor bid the contrite soul depart.
4 Wash'd in thy blood, I shall be pure; Cheer'd by thy smile, shall feel no shame; Sav'd by thy love, I stand secure,
And triumph in a Saviour's name.
PEACE, doubting soul; vain thoughts, be still; Bow to a heavenly Father's will;
And learn submissively to own
That truth and love surround his throne.
2 God's mighty works the creature sees,
But cannot trace his deep decrees;
Yet this may cheer the sorrowing mind,
To know that he is just and kind.
3 His purposes we may not view,
Yet stands his word for ever true;
Much we may suffer, yet we know
There's mercy in the heaviest blow.
4 Then learn, my soul, the hand to bless
That for thy profit sends distress ;
And, humbled by the gracious rod,
Be still, and know that it is God.
The Christian's danger and defence.
1 HOW oft do sin and Satan strive
To tear my soul from God!
My languid faith seems scarce alive,
And mountains cross my road.
2 A thousand enemies without,
A thousand fears within,
Oft cloud my fairest hopes with doubt,
And rouse each slumbering sin.
3 O how could feeble flesh and blood
Maintain a steady course,
When fierce temptations, like a flood,
Roll with resistless force;
4 Were not a heavenly Guardian near
My fainting steps to lead;
To quell each unbelieving fear,
And help in time of need?
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