The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. Containing, besides his Sermons, and Essays on miscellaneous subjects, several additional pieces, Selected from his Manuscripts by the Rev. Dr. Jennings, and the Rev. Dr. Doddridge, in 1753: to which are prefixed, memoirs of the life of the author, compiled by the Rev. George Burder. In six volumes |
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 | The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. |  |
HYMN 156. (C. M.) Presumption and Despair; or, Satan's various Temptations.
I
I hate the tempter and his charms,I hate his flattering breath;
The serpent takes a thousand forms
To cheat our souls to death.
II
He feeds our hopes with airy dreams,Or kills with slavish fear;
And holds us still in wide extremes,
Presumption, or despair.
III
Now he persuades, ‘How easy 'tis‘To walk the road to heaven;’
Anon he swells our sins, and cries,
‘They cannot be forgiven.’
IV
He bids young sinners, ‘Yet forbear‘To think of God or death;
‘For prayer and devotion are
‘But melancholy breath.’
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V
He tells the aged, ‘They must die,‘And 'tis too late to pray;
‘In vain for mercy now they cry,
‘For they have lost their day.’
VI
Thus he supports his cruel throneBy mischief and deceit;
And drags the sons of Adam down
To darkness and the pit.
VII
Almighty God, cut short his power,Let him in darkness dwell;
And, that he vex the earth no more,
Confine him down to hell.
| The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. | |