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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SONG 15. Against Lying.
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 | The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. |  |
SONG 15. Against Lying.
I
O 'tis a lovely thing for youthTo walk betimes in wisdom's way;
To fear a lie, to speak the truth,
That we may trust to all they say.
II
But liars we can never trust,Tho' they should speak the thing that's true;
And he that does one fault at first,
And lies to hide it, makes it two.
III
Have we not known, nor heard, nor read,How God abhors deceit and wrong?
How Ananias was struck dead,
Caught with a lie upon his tongue?
IV
So did his wife Sapphira die,When she came in and grew so bold
As to confirm that wicked lie
That just before her husband told.
V
The Lord delights in them that speakThe words of truth; but ev'ry liar
Must have his portion in the lake
That burns with brimstone and with fire.
VI
Then let me always watch my lips,Lest I be struck to death and hell,
Since God a book of reck'ning keeps
For ev'ry lie that children tell.
| The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. | |