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Hymns and Sacred Lyrics

In Three Parts. By Joseph Cottle
  

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408. Children of Isaac and Esau.

1

Children of Esau, as we read,
Still hatred bear to Isaac's seed;
A different nature each contains,
Here, God presides,—there, Satan reigns!

2

Children of Esau, prone to err,
Time, to eternity, prefer;
They grasp at shadows,—roam in night,
Nor seek the substance out of sight!

3

Children of Esau, him contemn,
Ordain'd to wear the diadem;
They in his name no virtues see,
Nor to their Saviour bend the knee!

4

Children of Esau, from beneath,
The atmosphere of Satan breathe;
Deceit they love, the truth they hate,
And prove themselves the reprobate!

5

They spurn the statute from above,
The law of charity and love;
While they on malice, fraud, and guile,
Can look with the approving smile!

6

Children of Esau, here below,
The union find of sin and woe;
But the unutterable doom,
Lies unreveal'd, beyond the tomb!

7

The sons of Esau, may we view
With pity, and compassion true;
And strive, (while many a prayer we raise,)
To turn them from their evil ways!

8

In that bless'd world, where Christ is crown'd,
No sons of Esau will be found!

307

May we behold those regions bright,
With Isaac's sons, the sons of light!