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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Self-Consecration.
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 | The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. |  |
Self-Consecration.
I
It grieves me, Lord, it grieves me sore,That I have liv'd to thee no more,
And wasted half my days;
My inward pow'rs shall burn and flame
With zeal and passion for thy name,
I would not speak, but for my God, nor move, but to his praise.
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II
What are my eyes but aids to seeThe glories of the deity
Inscrib'd with beams of light
On flow'rs and stars? Lord, I behold
The shining azure, green and gold;
But when I try to read thy name, a dimness veils my sight.
III
Mine ears are rais'd when Virgil singsSicilian swains, or Trojan kings,
And drink the music in;
Why should the trumpet's brazen voice,
Or oaten reed awake my joys,
And yet my heart so stupid lie when sacred hymns begin.
IV
Change me, O God; my flesh shall beAn instrument of song to thee,
And thou the notes inspire:
My tongue shall keep the heav'nly chime,
My cheerful pulse shall beat the time,
And sweet variety of sound shall in thy praise conspire.
V
The dearest nerve about my heart,Should it refuse to bear a part,
With my melodious breath,
I'd tear away the vital cord,
A bloody victim to my Lord,
And live without that impious string, or show my zeal in death.
| The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. | |