1010.
[Sinners, the vain delusion see]
Let another man praise thee, &c.
—xxvii. 2.
Sinners, the vain delusion see,
And sink abased in your own eyes;
Admired by blind credulity,
But pitied by the sober wise,
While your own praises ye repeat,
And boast your state to all ye meet.
Can confident assertions prove
The truth of your abundant grace?
Ye talkers of your perfect love,
Your pure consummate holiness;
So highly who yourselves esteem,
And make yourselves your endless theme.
The highest seats no longer take,
Or sacrifice to your own net;
Learn your first elements; awake!
Your own important selves forget;
Your own religious selves deny,
And deeply now for mercy cry.
Let others when your fruits they see
Your modesty and silence praise,
Your patient, meek humility,
Your profiting and growth in grace,
Your liberty from self and pride,
Your likeness to the Crucified.
Your works of faith, let them commend
The principle from which they flow,
And labouring, on the day attend
Which every state and heart shall show,
Confer the gracious, full reward,
The plaudit of your heavenly Lord.
