 | The miscellaneous works (1739) |  |
SOLILOQUY XXXIX.
Thy word is past, look on these sacred lines,
This heav'nly volume; here, great God, is writ
The records of thy truth, thy ancient works
The bright memorials of thy pow'r and love;
To thy immortal honour, to the joy
Of ev'ry saint, they stand collected here.
This heav'nly volume; here, great God, is writ
The records of thy truth, thy ancient works
The bright memorials of thy pow'r and love;
To thy immortal honour, to the joy
Of ev'ry saint, they stand collected here.
Confirm thy promis'd grace, which I have made
My boast, my triumph and peculiar aid.
O make me not asham'd! for I have spoke
With confidence undaunted for thy name,
Thy honour and approv'd veracity.
And now I come distrest, and looking round
On human helps in vain; these lying aids
Excite my scorn, I view them with contempt.
Counsel and wisdom, friendship's gentle voice
Is a deceitful sound: I dare not rest
Below the skies for guidance or protection;
On thee alone, and not on erring man
I cast my self: O kindly guide my steps
In all the paths of righteousness and peace!
On thee alone, the everlasting rock,
On thee alone I rest; my father's God,
My mother's early trust, to thee I look,
O let my soul rejoice, rejoice in God,
Boast in his truth, and triumph all the day
In his almighty name, and gracious aid!
Be his veracity and truth my song!
My boast, my triumph and peculiar aid.
O make me not asham'd! for I have spoke
With confidence undaunted for thy name,
Thy honour and approv'd veracity.
And now I come distrest, and looking round
On human helps in vain; these lying aids
Excite my scorn, I view them with contempt.
Counsel and wisdom, friendship's gentle voice
Is a deceitful sound: I dare not rest
Below the skies for guidance or protection;
On thee alone, and not on erring man
I cast my self: O kindly guide my steps
In all the paths of righteousness and peace!
On thee alone, the everlasting rock,
On thee alone I rest; my father's God,
My mother's early trust, to thee I look,
O let my soul rejoice, rejoice in God,
Boast in his truth, and triumph all the day
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Be his veracity and truth my song!
There is no help, no confidence below:
But who relies on thy almighty arm,
A sure defence shall find; who on thy word
Securely rests, shall never be deceiv'd.
But who relies on thy almighty arm,
A sure defence shall find; who on thy word
Securely rests, shall never be deceiv'd.
Can the Most-High repent? can he recal
His sacred oath, and make his promise vain?
O that be far from thee, the truth divine,
Th' eternal rectitude, whose plighted word
Stands firmer than the basis of the earth!
And when its mighty pillars to the depth
Of their foundations sink, when yonder skies,
Grown old, shall crack thro' all their crystal orbs;
Thou undecay'd in endless equity,
In glory and unspotted truth shalt shine.
His sacred oath, and make his promise vain?
O that be far from thee, the truth divine,
Th' eternal rectitude, whose plighted word
Stands firmer than the basis of the earth!
And when its mighty pillars to the depth
Of their foundations sink, when yonder skies,
Grown old, shall crack thro' all their crystal orbs;
Thou undecay'd in endless equity,
In glory and unspotted truth shalt shine.
| The miscellaneous works (1739) | |