![[blocks in formation]](https://books.google.cl/books/content?id=ejYIv91QlGUC&output=html_text&pg=PA120&img=1&zoom=3&hl=en&q=%22And+many+nations+shall+be+joined+to+the+Lord+in+that+day,+and+shall+be+my+people%3B+and+I+will%22&cds=1&sig=ACfU3U1Q9lgTh5A-6bkFWjT8pE6ukuhtLQ&edge=0&edge=stretch&ci=79,102,375,333)
David's Fall. Chap. xi. 27.
1 How David, when by sin deceiv'd,
From bad to worse went on!
For when the Holy Spirit's griev'd,
Our strength and guard are gone.
2 His eye on Bathsheba once fix'd,
With poison fill'd his soul;
He ventur'd on adult'ry next,
And murder crown'd the whole.
3 So from a spark of fire at first,
That has not been descried,
A dreadful flame has often burst,
And ravag'd far and wide.
4 When sin deceives, it hardens too,
For though he vainly sought
To hide his crimes from public view,
Of God he little thought.
5 He neither would nor could repent,
No true compunction felt;
Till God in mercy Nathan sent,
His stubborn heart to melt.
6 The parable held forth a fact,
Design'd his case to show;
But though the picture was exact,
Himself he did not know.
7 "Thou art the man," the prophet said,
That word his slumber broke;
And when he own'd his sin, and prayed,
The Lord forgiveness spoke.
8 Let those who think they stand beware, For David stood before;
Nor let the fallen soul despair,
For mercy can restore.
Is this thy Kindness to thy Friend?
Chap. xvi. 17.
1 POOR, weak, and worthless though I am,
I have a rich almighty Friend;
Jesus, the Saviour, is his name;
He freely loves, and without end.
2 He ransom'd me from hell with blood,
And by his power my foes control'd;
He found me, wand'ring far from God,
And brought me to his chosen fold.
3 He cheers my heart, my want supplies,
And says that I shall shortly be
Enthron'd with him above the skies,
Oh! what a friend is Christ to me,
4 But, ah! my inmost spirit mourns,
And well my eyes with tears may swim,
To think of my perverse returns;
I've been a faithless friend to him.
5 Often my gracious Friend I grieve,
Neglect, distrust, and disobey,
And often Satan's lies believe,
Sooner than all my Friend can say.
6 He bids me always freely come,
And promises whate'er I ask;
But I am straiten'd, cold, and dumb,
And count my privilege a task.
7 Before the world, that hates his cause,
My treach'rous heart has throbb'd with
shame;
Loth to forego the world's applause,
I hardly dare avow his name.
8 Sure, were not I most vile and base,
I could not thus my Friend requite!
And were not he the God of grace,
He'd frown, and spurn me from his sight.
Ask what I shall give Thee. Chap. iii. 5.
1 COME, my soul, thy suit prepare,
Jesus loves to answer prayer;
He himself has bid thee pray,
Therefore will not say thee nay.
2 Thou art coming to a King,*
Large petitions with thee bring;
For his grace and power are such,
None can ever ask too much.
3 With my burden I begin,
Lord, remove this load of sin!
Let thy blood, for sinners spilt,
Set my conscience free from guilt.
4 Lord, I come to thee for rest,
Take possession of my breast;
There thy blood-bought right maintain,
And without a rival reign.
5 As the image in the glass
Answers the beholder's face;
Thus unto my heart appear,
Print thine own resemblance there.
6 While I am a pilgrim here,
Let thy love my spirit cheer;
As my Guide, my Guard, my Friend,
Lead me to my journey's end.
7 Show me what I have to do,
Ev'ry hour my strength renew;
Let me live a life of faith,
Let me die thy people's death.
1 IF Solomon for wisdom prayed,
The Lord before had made him wise,
Else he another choice had made,
And ask'd for what the worldlings prize.
2 Thus he invites his people still;
He first instructs them how to choose,
Then bids them ask whate'er they will,
Assur'd that he will not refuse.
3 Our wishes would our ruin prove,
Could we our wretched choice obtain,
Before we feel the Saviour's love
Kindle our love to him again.
4 But when our hearts perceive his worth,
Desires, till then unknown, take place;
Our spirits cleave no more to earth,
But pant for holiness and grace.
5 And dost thou say, "Ask what thou wilt?"
Lord, I would seize the golden hour;
I pray to be releas'd from guilt,
And freed from sin and Satan's power.
6 More of thy presence, Lord, impart,
More of thine image let me bear;
Erect thy throne within my heart,
And reign without a rival there.
7 Give me to read my pardon seal'd,
And from thy joy to draw my strength;
To have thy boundless love reveal'd,
In all its height, and breadth, and length.
8 Grant these requests, I ask no more,
But to thy care the rest resign;
Sick, or in health, or rich, or poor,
All shall be well if thou art mine.
1 BEHOLD the throne of grace!
The promise calls me near;
There Jesus shows a smiling face,
And waits to answer prayer.
2 That rich atoning blood,
Which sprinkled round I see,
Provides for those who come to God,
An all-prevailing plea.
3 My soul, ask what thou wilt,
Thou canst not be too bold;
Since his own blood for thee he spilt,
What else can he withhold?
4 Beyond thy utmost wants,
His love and power can bless: To praying souls he always grants
More than they can express.
5 Since 'tis the Lord's command,
My mouth I open wide;
Lord, open thou thy bounteous hand,
That I may be supplied.
6 Thine image, Lord, bestow,
Thy presence and thy love,
VOL. II.
Q
I ask to serve thee here below,
And reign with thee above.
7 Teach me to live by faith,
Conform my will to thine;
Let me victorious be in death,
And then in glory shine.
8 If thou these blessings give,
And wilt my portion be,
Cheerful the world's poor toys I leave
To them who know not thee.
The Queen of Sheba. Chap. x. 1-9. 1 FROM Sheba a distant report,
Of Solomon's glory and fame,
Invited the queen to his court,
But all was outdone when she came;
She cried, with a pleasing surprise,
When first she before him appear'd,
"How much what I see with my eyes,
Surpasses the rumour I heard!"
2 When once to Jerusalem come,
The treasure and train she had brought,
The wealth she possessed at home,
No longer had place in her thought;
His house, his attendants, his throne,
All struck her with wonder and awe:
The glory of Solomon shone
In every object she saw.
3 But Solomon most she admir'd,
Whose spirit conducted the whole;
His wisdom, which God had inspir'd,
His bounty and greatness of soul;
Of all the hard questions she put,
A ready solution he showed;
Exceeded her wish and her suit,
And more than she ask'd him bestowed.
4 Thus I, when the gospel proclaim'd
The Saviour's great name in my ears,
The wisdom for which he is fam'd,
The love which to sinners he bears;
I long'd, and I was not denied,
That I in his presence might bow;
"I saw, and transported I cried,
"A greater than Solomon thou!"
5 My conscience no comfort could find,
By doubts and hard questions opposed;
But he restor❜d peace to my mind,
And answer'd each doubt I proposed,
Beholding me poor and distress'd,
His bounty supplied all my wants;
My prayer could have never express'd
So much as this Solomon grants.
6 I heard, and was slow to believe,
But now with my eyes I behold,
Much more than my heart could conceive
Or language could ever have told.
How happy thy servants must be,
Who always before thee appear!
Vouchsafe, Lord, this blessing to me,
I find it is good to be here.
Elijah fed by Ravens.* Chap. xvii. 6.
1 ELIJAH'S example declares,
Whatever distress may betide,
The saints may commit all their cares
To him who will surely provide:
When rain long withheld from the earth,
Occasioned a famine of bread,
The prophet, secur'd from the dearth,
By ravens was constantly fed.
2 More likely to rob than to feed,
Were ravens who live upon prey:
But when the Lord's people have need,
His goodness will find out a way.
This instance to those may seem strange,
Who know not how faith can prevail;
But sooner all nature shall change,
Than one of God's promises fail.
3 Nor is it a singular case,
The wonder is often renew'd;
And many can say to his praise,
He sends them by ravens their food:
Thus worldlings, though ravens indeed,
Though greedy and selfish their mind,
If God has a servant to feed,
Against their own wills can be kind. 4 Thus Satan, that raven unclean,
Who croaks in the ears of the saints,
Compell'd by a power unseen,
Administers oft to their wants;
God teaches them how to find food,
From all the temptations they feel:
This raven who thirsts for my blood,
Has help'd me to many a meal.
5 How safe and how happy are they,
Who on the good Shepherd rely!
He gives them out strength for their day,
Their wants he will surely supply;
He ravens and lions can tame,
All creatures obey his command :
Then let me rejoice in his name,
And leave all my cares in his hand.
Yet have no cause to fear distress,
For Jesus is their friend.
5 Then let no doubt your mind assail:
Remember God has said,
"The cruise and barrel shall not fail,
My people shall be fed."
6 And thus, though faint, it often seems,
He keeps their grace alive;
Supplied by his refreshing streams,
Their dying hopes revive.
7 Though in ourselves we have no stock,
The Lord is nigh to save:
His door flies open when we knock,
And 'tis but ask and have.
HYMN XXXVII.
Jericho; or, the Waters healed.
Chap. ii. 19-22.
1 THOUGH Jericho pleasantly stood,
And look'd like a promising soil;
The harvest produc'd little food,
To answer the husbandman's toil.
The water some property had,
Which poisonous prov'd to the ground;
The springs were corrupted and bad,
The streams spread a barrenness round.
2 But soon by the cruise and the salt,
Prepar'd by Elijah's command,
The water was cur'd of its fault,
And plenty enriched the land:
An emblem sure this of the grace,
On fruitless dead sinners bestow'd;
For man is in Jericho's case,
Till cured by the mercy of God.
3 How noble a creature he seems!
What knowledge, invention, and skill!
How large and extensive his schemes!
How much can he do if he will!
His zeal to be learned and wise
Will yield to no limits and bars;
He measures the earth and the skies,
And numbers and marshals the stars.
The Meal and Cruise of Oil. Chap. xvii. 16. 4 Yet still he is barren of good;
1 By the poor widow's oil and meal
Elijah was sustain'd;
Though small the stock, it lasted well,
For God the store maintain'd.
2 It seem'd as if from day to day,
They were to eat and die;
But still, though in a secret way,
He sent a fresh supply.
3 Thus to his poor he still will give
Just for the present hour:
But for to-morrow they must live
Upon his word and power.
4 No barn or store-house they possess,
On which they can depend;
In vain are his talents and art;
For sin has infected his blood,
And poison'd the springs of his heart:
Though cockatrice eggs he can hatch,*
Or, spider-like, cobwebs can weave;
"Tis madness to labour and watch
For what will destroy or deceive.
5 But grace, like the salt in the cruise,
When cast in the spring of the soul,
A wonderful change will produce,
Diffusing new life through the whole;
The wilderness blooms like a rose,
The heart which was vile and abhorr'd,
Now fruitful and beautifi 1 grows,
The garden and joy of the Lord.
HYMN XXXVIII.
Naaman. Chap. v. 14.
1 BEFORE Elisha's gate
The Syrian leper stood; But could not brook to wait,
He deem'd himself too good:
He thought the prophet would attend,
And not to him a message send.
2 Have I this journey come,
And will he not be seen?
I were as well at home,
Would washing make me clean; Why must I wash in Jordan's flood? Damascus' rivers are as good.
3 Thus, by his foolish pride,
He almost miss'd a cure;
Howe'er at length he tried,
And found the method sure:
Soon as his pride was brought to yield,
The leprosy was quickly heal'd.
4 Leprous and proud as he,
To Jesus thus I came,
From sin he set me free,
When first I heard his fame;
Surely, thought I, my pompous train
Of vows and tears will notice gain.
5 My heart devis'd the way
Which I suppos'd he'd take,
And when I found delay,
Was ready to go back;
Had he some painful task enjoin'd,
I to performance seem'd inclin❜d.
6 When by his word he spake,
"That fountain opened see;
"Twas opened for thy sake,
Go wash, and thou art free." Oh! how did my proud heart gainsay; I fear'd to trust this simple way.
7 At length I trial made,
When I had much endur'd;
The message I obeyed,
I wash'd, and I was cur'd:
Sinners, this healing fountain try,
Which cleans'd a wretch so vile as I.
The borrowed Axe. Chap. vi. 5, 6.
1 THE prophet's sons, in times of old,
Though to appearance poor,
Were rich, without possessing gold,
And honoured, though obscure.
2 In peace their daily bread they ate,
By honest labour earned;
While daily at Elisha's feet,
They grace and wisdom learned.
3 The prophet's presence cheer'd their toil,
They watch'd the words he spoke!
Whether they turn'd the furrow'd soil,
Or fell'd the spreading oak.
4 Once as they listened to his theme,
Their conference was stopped;
![[blocks in formation]](https://books.google.cl/books/content?id=ejYIv91QlGUC&output=html_text&pg=PA123&img=1&zoom=3&hl=en&q=%22And+many+nations+shall+be+joined+to+the+Lord+in+that+day,+and+shall+be+my+people%3B+and+I+will%22&cds=1&sig=ACfU3U0Y3E-45_bW-2wh6rf003pfjsUAFg&edge=0&edge=stretch&ci=463,106,456,506)
More with us than with them. Chap. vi. 16,
1 ALAS! Elisha's servant cried,
When he the Syrian army spied;
But he was soon released from care,
In answer to the prophet's prayer.
2 Straightway he saw, with other eyes,
A greater army from the skies,
A fiery guard around the hill:-
Thus are the saints preserved still.
3 When Satan and his host appear,
Like him of old, I faint and fear;
Like him, by faith, with joy I see,
A greater host engaged for me.
4 The saints espouse my cause by prayer,
The angels make my soul their care;
Mine is the promise sealed with blood,
And Jesus lives to make it good.
5 Yea, when this heart and flesh shall fail, And mortal life shall cease; I shall possess, within the vail,
A life of joy and peace.
6 The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call'd me here below,
Will be for ever mine.
The Joy of the Lord is your Strength.
Chap. viii. 10.
1 Joy is a fruit that will not grow
In nature's barren soil;
All we can boast, till Christ we know,
Is vanity and toil.
2 But where the Lord has planted grace,
And made his glories known;
There fruits of heavenly joy and peace
Are found, and there alone.
3 A bleeding Saviour, seen by faith,
A sense of pard'ning love,
A hope that triumphs over death,
Give joys like those above.
4 To take a glimpse within the vail,
To know that God is mine,
Are springs of joy that never fail,
Unspeakable! divine!
5 These are the joys which satisfy,
And sanctify the mind;
Which make the spirit mount on high,
And leave the world behind.
6 No more, believers, mourn your lot,
But if you are the Lord's,
Resign to them that know him not
Such joys as earth affords.
Oh that I were as in Months past.
Chap. xxix. 2.
1 SWEET was the time when first I felt
The Saviour's pard'ning blood
Applied to cleanse my soul from guilt,
And bring me home to God.
2 Soon as the morn the light reveal'd,
His praises tuned my tongue;
And when the ev'ning shades prevail'd,
His love was all my song.
3 In vain the tempter spread his wiles,
The world no more could charm;
I lived upon my Saviour's smiles,
And lean'd upon his arm.
4 In prayer my soul drew near the Lord, And saw his glory shine;
And when I read his holy word, I call'd each promise mine.
5 Then to his saints I often spoke
Of what his love had done;
But now my heart is almost broke,
For all my joys are gone.
6 Now, when the ev'ning shade prevails,
My soul in darkness mourns;
And when the morn the light reveals,
No light to me returns.
7 My prayers are now a chatt'ring noise, For Jesus hides his face;
I read,--the promise meets my eyes,
But will not reach my case.
8 Now Satan threatens to prevail,
And make my soul his prey;
Yet, Lord, thy mercies cannot fail,
O come without delay!
![[blocks in formation]](https://books.google.cl/books/content?id=ejYIv91QlGUC&output=html_text&pg=PA124&img=1&zoom=3&hl=en&q=%22And+many+nations+shall+be+joined+to+the+Lord+in+that+day,+and+shall+be+my+people%3B+and+I+will%22&cds=1&sig=ACfU3U0HcHjDiif4ynHnLT3lsuMga8pSjg&edge=0&edge=stretch&ci=612,610,237,70)
1 SAVIOUR, shine, and cheer my soul,
Bid my dying hopes revive;
Make my wounded spirit whole,
Far away the tempter drive;
Speak the word, and set me free,
Let me live alone to thee.
2 Shall I sigh and pray in vain,
Wilt thou still refuse to hear;
Wilt thou not return again,
Must I yield to black despair?
Thou hast taught my heart to pray,
Canst thou turn thy face away?
3 Once I thought my mountain strong,
Firmly fix'd, no more to move;
Then thy grace was all my song,
Then my soul was fill'd with love;
Those were happy golden days,
Sweetly spent in prayer and praise.
4 When my friends have said, “Beware,
Soon or late you'll find a change,"
I could see no cause for fear,
Vain their caution seem'd, and strange : Not a cloud obscur'd my sky, Could I think a tempest nigh?
5 Little, then, myself I knew,
Little thought of Satan's power;
Now I find their words were true,
Now I feel the stormy hour!
Sin has put my joys to flight,
Sin has changed my day to night.
6 Satan asks, and mocks my woe,
"Boaster, where is now your God;" Silence, Lord, this cruel foe,
Let him know I'm bought with blood: Tell him, since I know thy name, Though I change, thou art the same.
* Book II. Hymn xxxiv. and Book III. Hymn xxxvI.
|