The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

Wesley, Charles (1707-1788)

VOLUME I.

II.

III.

IV.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

IX.

VOLUME IX.

SHORT HYMNS ON SELECT PASSAGES OF THE Holy Scriptures.

XI.

XII.

XIII.

Collapse All | Expand All expand section

IX. VOLUME IX.

SHORT HYMNS ON SELECT PASSAGES OF THE Holy Scriptures.

GENESIS.

1. [By faith we know, the world was made]

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. —i. 1.

By faith we know, the world was made
Formless at first and void:
We know, the universe decay'd
Shall be by fire destroy'd:
But soon the co-eternal Son
We shall in glory view,
Jehovah sitting on His throne,
Creating all things new.

2. [Such is my soul, confused and void]

The earth was without form, and void, &c. —i. 2.

Such is my soul, confused and void,
With darkness palpable o'erspread,
Stripp'd of the living form of God,
Fallen, emphatically dead,
Till the eternal Spirit move,
And raise again the spark of love.

3. [Expand Thy wings, celestial Dove]

The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. —i. 2.

Expand Thy wings, celestial Dove,
And brooding o'er my nature's night,
Call forth the ray of heavenly love,
Let there in my dark soul be light,
And fill the' illustrated abyss
With glorious beams of endless bliss.

4. [Let there be light (again command)]

God said, Let there be light: and there was light. —i. 3.

Let there be light (again command)
And light there in our hearts shall be,
We then through faith shall understand
Thy great mysterious majesty,
And by the shining of Thy grace
Behold in Christ Thy glorious face.

5. [Father, Son, and Holy Ghost]

Let us make man in our image. —i. 26.

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
In council join again
To restore Thine image, lost
By frail apostate man:
O might I Thy form express,
Through faith begotten from above,
Stamp'd with real holiness,
And fill'd with perfect love!

6. [How are the mighty fallen!]

God created man in His own image. —i. 27.

How are the mighty fallen!
Come, read thy mournful story,
Degenerate man:
Ended thy reign,
Departed is thy glory!

Though after God created,
His image and His favour
With Eden lost
Confounds thy boast,
And sinks thy soul for ever.

Now in the state of devils,
Thy soul to hell is falling:
But help is near;
Thy Saviour hear,
To grace and glory calling!
Thy forfeited dominion
With Christ again is given,
A paradise
Above the skies,
A happier state in heaven.

7. [Who madest thus the earth and skies]

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished. —ii. 1.

Who madest thus the earth and skies,
A world, a six days' work of Thine,
Thou bidd'st the new creation rise,
Nobler effect of grace Divine!
We might spring up at Thy command,
For glory in an instant meet;
But by Thy will at last we stand
In gradual holiness complete.

8. [Father, see this living clod]

The Lord God formed man of the dust, &c. —ii. 7.

Father, see this living clod,
This spark of heavenly fire!
Lo, my soul, the breath of God,
Doth after God aspire:

Let it still to heaven ascend,
Till I my Principle rejoin,
Blended with my glorious End,
And lost in Love Divine.

9. [Not from his head was woman took]

God took one of his ribs. —ii. 21.

Not from his head was woman took,
As made her husband to o'erlook;
Not from his feet, as one design'd
The footstool of the stronger kind;
But fashion'd for himself, a bride,
An equal, taken from his side;

Her place intended to maintain,
The mate, and glory of the man,
To rest, as still beneath his arm,
Protected by her lord from harm,
And never from his heart removed,
As only less than God beloved.

10. [Still the old serpent doth deceive]

The serpent said unto the woman, &c. —iii. 4.

Still the old serpent doth deceive
The men who dare in sin to live:
Poor souls, they hold his promise fast,
And hope—to be all saved at last!
“Ye need not be so much afraid
Of hell: whatever God hath said,
Ye shall not, who on me rely,
Not surely—not for ever die!”

11. [She saw; she took; she ate]

When the woman saw that the tree was good, &c. —iii. 6.

She saw; she took; she ate;
Death enter'd by the eye:
And parleying in a tempted state,
We lust; consent; and die!

But all mankind restored
Their Eden may retrieve:
And lo, by faith we see our Lord,
We touch, and taste, and live!

12. [Jesus, Thou art a tree]

A tree to be desired to make one wise. —iii. 6.

Jesus, Thou art a tree
That makes the foolish wise,
And safely we may feed on Thee,
And feast both heart and eyes:
Wisdom Divine Thou art,
Received through faith alone;
And when Thou dost Thyself impart,
We know as we are known.

13. [Open'd are their eyes to see]

The eyes of them both were opened. —iii. 7.

Open'd are their eyes to see
Evil before unknown,
Forfeited felicity,
And rule and glory gone:
Now they see their shameful case,
And conscious of their guilty load,
Fly aghast before the face
Of an offended God.

14. [I know myself the same]

They knew that they were naked. —iii. 7.

I know myself the same,
Disarm'd, without defence,
Exposed to misery and shame,
And stripp'd of innocence;
Struck (for the Judge draws nigh)
With horror, guilt, and fear,
How shall I from His presence fly,
Or in His sight appear!

15. [Their first concern alas, is mine]

They sewed fig-leaves together, &c. —iii. 7.

Their first concern alas, is mine,
Not to appease the wrath Divine,
But how to hide from man my shame,
And save my own important fame.

16. [Not on the whirlwind's wings He flies]

They heard the voice of the Lord God walking, &c. —iii. 8.

Not on the whirlwind's wings He flies,
Not in the thunder's voice He speaks,
But that the fallen man may rise,
The Lord His ruin'd creature seeks:
Not in the burning blaze of day,
(For fury hath no place in Him,)
But placid as the evening ray,
He comes, to sentence, and redeem.

17. [How soon the fruits of sin appear!]

Adam and his wife hid themselves, &c. —iii. 8.

How soon the fruits of sin appear!
Trouble, anxiety, and fear
That to the covert flies,
Sad guilt, and shameful nakedness,
The forfeiture of life and peace,
With loss of paradise!

18. [Farther, and farther still I run]

The Lord God called unto Adam, and said, &c. —iii. 9.

Farther, and farther still I run,
Till God with eyes of mercy sees
A wandering soul by sin undone,
And stops my flight among the trees:
Come to the slave of guilty fear,
Now, Lord, arrest Thy fugitive,
And call me forth my doom to hear,
And then my pardon to receive.

19. [How backward man himself to blame!]

The man said, The woman whom Thou gavest, &c. —iii. 12.

How backward man himself to blame!
How ready I, like Adam, am
To palliate what I first would hide,
To' excuse what cannot be denied,
Or dare with boldest blasphemy
To charge my sin, O God, on Thee!

20. [We blame the fiend, ourselves to clear]

The woman said, The serpent beguiled me, &c. —iii. 13.

We blame the fiend, ourselves to clear,
On man, on God the fault transfer;
Our guilt, by lessening it, increase,
But never will our sin confess,
Till, conquer'd by the Judge from heaven,
We fall condemn'd, to rise forgiven.

21. [Father, inspire my alter'd heart]

I will put enmity . . . between thy seed and her seed. —iii. 15.

Father, inspire my alter'd heart
With hatred of the serpent's seed,
Of all his works, and all his art,
Of sin in thought, and word, and deed:
Fix the good Spirit in my breast,
The mind of Christ I then shall prove,
Evil with all my soul detest,
And love Thee with a perfect love.

22. [Awake, the woman's heavenly Seed]

It shall bruise thy head. —iii. 15.

Awake, the woman's heavenly Seed,
Thou Bruiser of the serpent's head,
Redeem Thy creature from his fall,
And crush the fiend that crush'd us all,
That author of our total ill,
That poisoner of the human mind,
Whom in our inmost souls we feel,
Destroy him out of all mankind.

23. [Heavenly Principle within]

Heavenly Principle within,
Show Thine enmity to sin,
Whom Thou hast in us subdued,
Slay the serpent and his brood;

Crush the head he strives to hide,
Subtle selfishness and pride,
Malice, spite, and cruelty,
All his works destroy in me.

Root them out of Adam's race,
Spread Thy nature in their place,
Mary's, God's eternal Son,
Reign in all our hearts alone.

24. [Rise, the woman's conquering Seed]

Rise, the woman's conquering Seed,
Against our common foe,
Bruiser of the serpent's head,
Inflict the mortal blow;
Vengeance on the tempter take,
Adjudged Thine utmost wrath to bear,
Cast into the burning lake,
And bruised for ever there.

25. [Satan himself fulfils Thy word]

Thou shalt bruise his heel. —iii. 15.

Satan himself fulfils Thy word,
He bruises now Thy heel:
The meanest follower of my Lord,
His daily rage I feel:
Yet shall I trample on his head,
O'er all his enmity
Victorious, when the woman's Seed
For ever reigns in me.

26. [Eager alas, for sensual good]

In sorrow thou shalt bring forth children, &c. —iii. 16.

Eager alas, for sensual good,
Indulging thy ambition vain,
What find'st thou in that pleasant food,
But bitterness of shame and pain?
The punishment for the offence
How just! how suitably applied,
Anguish to mortify thy sense,
Subjection to chastise thy pride!

27. [Most righteous God, my doom I bear]

Cursed is the ground for thy sake, &c. —iii. 17–19.

Most righteous God, my doom I bear,
My load of guilt, and pain, and care,
Enslaved to base desires,
Hard-toiling for embitter'd bread,
I mourn my barren soul o'erspread
With cursed thorns and briars.

Death's sentence in myself receive,
And dust, to dust already cleave,
Exiled from paradise,
Hastening to hellish misery,
Jesus, if unredeem'd by Thee,
My soul for ever dies.

But Jesus hath our sentence borne,
He did in our affliction mourn,
A man of sorrows made,
A servant and a curse for me;
He bears the utmost penalty,
He suffers in my stead.

I see Him sweat great drops of blood,
I see Him faint beneath my load!
The thorns His temples tear!

He bows His bleeding head, and dies!
He lives! He mounts above the skies,
He claims my Eden there!

28. [Why should a mortal man complain]

In sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life. —iii. 17.

Why should a mortal man complain,
When sentenced to a life of pain?
Why should a saint by grace restored
Expect to be above his Lord?
There's no immunity from woe,
No perfect paradise below,
Not holiness itself can save
A saint, a sinner, from the grave.

29. [I bow me to my God's decree]

Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. —iii. 19.

I bow me to my God's decree,
I own the sentence just,
(The sentence of mortality,)
And dust return to dust:
Yet quicken'd by the trumpet's sound,
This dust again shall rise,
Beyond the old creation bound,
And shine above the skies.

30. [Clothed with the skins of victims slain]

Unto Adam also, and to his wife, did the Lord God, &c. —iii. 21.

Clothed with the skins of victims slain,
Our parents turn'd on Christ their eyes,
The Lamb whom God did then ordain,
The grand vicarious Sacrifice:
By faith they knew the blood was shed,
For them, and all their race to' atone,
And trusting in His merits, made
His perfect righteousness their own.

31. [O Thou slaughter'd Lamb of God]

O Thou slaughter'd Lamb of God,
From the world's foundations slain,
By Thy sacrificial blood
Wash out all my guilty stain,
Clothe my spirit's nakedness
With a covering from above,
Put me on my spotless dress,
Wrap me up in heavenly love.

32. [Spoil'd of the bliss to Adam given]

So He drove out the man: and He placed, &c. —iii. 24.

Spoil'd of the bliss to Adam given,
Out of my Maker's presence driven,
My fallen state I mourn;
But fondly sigh my Eden lost;
The flaming sword and angel-host
Prohibit my return.

A fallen, sinful child of man,
By innocence I seek in vain
That Eden to retrieve;
I cannot find the blissful place,
Or, banish'd from Jehovah's face,
Behold my God, and live.

Then let me die to see my Lord!
I rush upon that flaming sword
Which doth the sinner slay:
But he who by Thy justice dies,
By this shut out of paradise,
Shall find another way.

I find it now: most gracious God,
I enter boldly through the blood
Of my redeeming Lord;

By faith I see the bar removed,
I feel lost man again beloved,
And paradise restored.

33. [Happy who in Christ delight]

Happy who in Christ delight,
And His commandments love,
They shall keep their gracious right
To paradise above,
Eat the' immortalizing tree,
From which they can no more be driven,
Feast on full felicity,
And live the life of heaven.

34. [Principled with godly fear]

If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? —iv. 7.

Principled with godly fear,
Righteousness he might have wrought,
Cain himself, in faith sincere,
Might have his oblation brought;
Cain had then accepted been,
The old murderer abhorr'd,
Conquer'd the besetting sin,
More than conquer'd through his Lord.

35. [Though every sinful act increase]

If thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. —iv. 7.

Though every sinful act increase
Our strong propensity to sin,
Into our heart it need not press,
We need not let the evil in:
Though sin lie knocking at the door,
Admittance we may still refuse,
For Jesus doth to all restore
The power or life or death to choose.

36. [Lusting to shed his brother's blood]

Unto thee shall be the desire of it, &c. [Heb.] —iv. 7.

Lusting to shed his brother's blood,
Must Cain to the desire submit?

He might have still superior stood,
And trampled sin beneath his feet:
And may not all, O Lord, embrace
The power o'er sin obtain'd by Thee?
Sufficient is Thy saving grace
For every reprobate, and me.

37. [How loud the blood of Abel cries]

The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto Me, &c. —iv. 10.

How loud the blood of Abel cries,
Demanding vengeance from the ground!
But louder still throughout the skies
Thou hear'st the blood of Jesus sound:
It pleads for the apostate race,
That all His murderers may live,
It asks for me Thy sparing grace,
And every drop cries out, Forgive!

38. [O that I might walk with God!]

Enoch walked with God. —v. 22.

O that I might walk with God!
Jesus my companion be,
Lead me to Thy bless'd abode,
Through the fire, or through the sea:
Join'd to Thee by humble love
Nothing I desire beside,
Only let me never move,
Never stir without my Guide.

39. [Jesus, Thou that Noah art!]

This same shall comfort us concerning our work, &c. —v. 29.

Jesus, Thou that Noah art!
Earth again in Thee is bless'd:
Comfort Thou my troubled heart,
Be my weary spirit's rest:
Then I shall no more complain,
Never at my lot repine:
Welcome toil, and grief, and pain!
All is well, if Christ be mine.

40. [Yet for a time He strives with all]

My Spirit shall not always strive with man. —vi. 3.

Yet for a time He strives with all:
O may He strive with me,
Till quite recover'd from its fall
My soul is all like Thee!

41. [Had God foreknown it could not be]

Yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. —vi. 3.

Had God foreknown it could not be,
That sinners should accept His grace,
Vain were that added century,
Which mock'd them with a longer space:
But O, they wilfully went on
Rebellious, till their day was pass'd,
And forced the lingering deluge down,
And perish'd in their sins at last.

How loath is God to strike, who stays
So long, before He gives the blow,
Threatens, and warns; yet still delays;
That sinners may His mercy know!
His wrath He wills us to prevent,
His timely warnings to receive,
And 'scape the threaten'd punishment,
And saved from sin for ever live.

42. [And dare we our perfection boast?]

Every imagination of the thoughts of man's heart, &c. —vi. 5.

And dare we our perfection boast?
With haughty Luciferian scorn
Deny our innocency lost,
As still in God's resemblance born?
Great Author of our second birth,
Give us, our fallen souls to feel
As godlike as the beasts on earth,
As perfect as the fiends in hell.

43. [He mourns His frustrated intent]

It repented the Lord that He had made man. —vi. 6.

He mourns His frustrated intent,
Who bade the rebel be:
But never doth my Lord repent
That He hath ransom'd me.

44. [Grieved at His heart is God for me]

It grieved Him at His heart. —vi. 6.

Grieved at His heart is God for me,
For sin which I have done?
And yet (alas, how can it be?)
And yet my heart is stone!
Wearied, and broke, and pierced, and torn,
My injured God and Friend,
Give me to look on Thee, and mourn,
Till grief with life shall end.

45. [Noah, descended from the skies]

Noah builded an altar unto the Lord, &c. —viii. 20, 21.

Noah, descended from the skies,
Our faithful, merciful High-Priest,
The Lord accepts Thy sacrifice,
A savour of perpetual rest,
Thy death did once for all atone,
And God and man in Thee are one.

46. [Father, if Thou my Father art]

The Lord said [Heb.] to his heart, &c. —viii. 21.

Father, if Thou my Father art,
If Jesus made my sins His own,
Speak it into my listening heart,
Assure me that I am Thy son,
Comfort and rest in Christ restore,
And vow to curse this earth no more.

47. [Lord, may not I Thy promise claim]

God shall enlarge [or persuade, Heb.] Japheth. —ix. 27.

Lord, may not I Thy promise claim
Made to the isles in Japheth's name?
In mercy then to me impart
The largeness of a loving heart:

An heart to no one sect confined,
But compassing the ransom'd kind,
Capacious of the Deity,
And grasping all Thy gifts and Thee.

48. [Almighty to persuade Thou art]

Almighty to persuade Thou art,
Thou Friend of helpless woe,
Persuade me with my sin to part,
To let my misery go;
Persuade me to repent, believe,
Thine easy yoke to prove,
And then into Thine arms receive
The captive of Thy love.

49. [Thou hast enlarged Thy church's bound]

He shall dwell in the tents of Shem. —ix. 27.

Thou hast enlarged Thy church's bound,
Hast call'd us by Thy name,
Poor Gentiles we in Christ are found,
And Japheth dwells with Shem:
We dwell in tents, co-heirs with Thee,
Till Thou our souls remove,
With all the first-born church to see
Our Father's house above.

50. [Come Thou universal Blessing]

In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. —xii. 3.

Come Thou universal Blessing,
Abraham's long-expected Seed,
Perfect peace, and joy unceasing
Through the ransom'd nations spread;
Devilish pride, and brutal passion
Far from every heart remove,
Bless us with Thy full salvation,
Bless us with Thy heavenly love.

Happy is the man forgiven:
This let every sinner feel,
Taste in Thee his present heaven,
Pant for greater blessings still:
O that all anew created
Might Thine image here retrieve,
Then to paradise translated
In Thy glorious presence live.

51. [What can we ask or covet more]

I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. —xv. 1.

What can we ask or covet more,
Who Abraham's Lord and God adore,
Who treading in his footsteps plead
The promise made to all his seed,
And trust in Jesu's faithful love,
Our shield on earth, our heaven above!

52. [His spiritual, believing seed]

So shall thy seed be. —xv. 5.

His spiritual, believing seed
In glory shall excel,
Numbers of Israelites indeed,
Which only God can tell,
Distinguish'd by their Saviour's love
With dignity Divine,
And brighter than the stars above
They shall for ever shine.

53. [Father, in Abraham's steps I tread]

He believed in the Lord, and He counted it to him, &c. —xv. 6.

Father, in Abraham's steps I tread,
Receive Thine evangelic word,
Who gav'st to suffer in my stead
Thine only Son, my God and Lord:
The faith, which now I act on Thee,
Who didst again my Surety raise,
Is counted righteousness to me,
And I am saved through Jesu's grace.

54. [Where'er I am, whate'er I do]

Thou God seest me. —xvi. 13.

Where'er I am, whate'er I do,
My heart is naked to Thy view:
O may I ever mindful be
The' all-seeing eye is fix'd on me!

55. [God of all-sufficient grace]

I am the Almighty God; walk before Me, &c. —xvii. 1.

God of all-sufficient grace,
My God in Christ Thou art;
Bid me walk before Thy face,
Till I am pure in heart,
Till transform'd through faith Divine
I gain that perfect love unknown,
Bright in all Thine image shine,
By putting on Thy Son.

56. [When first we of Thy promise heard]

Abraham . . . laughed. —xvii. 17.

When first we of Thy promise heard,
Through unbelief we smiled,
Impossible the birth appear'd
Of Christ the holy Child:
But when Thou dost Thy Son reveal,
And show'st our sins forgiven,
We laugh for joy unspeakable,
For joy of present heaven.

57. [Nothing too hard can be]

Is anything too hard for the Lord? —xviii. 14.

Nothing too hard can be
For mine almighty Lord:
Sufficient is Thy grace for me,
Who hang upon Thy word;
Thou canst, Thou wilt forgive,
My nature's sin erase,
And bid me in Thine image live,
And die to see Thy face.

58. [Stupendous grace of the Most High!]

Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do? —xviii. 17.

Stupendous grace of the Most High!
What hath the Lord on worms bestow'd,
Call'd to the council of the sky,
And number'd with the friends of God!

59. [Fain would I, Lord, my household lead]

I know him, that he will command his children, &c. —xviii. 19.

Fain would I, Lord, my household lead
In all the paths of righteousness,
And train them up, an holy seed,
To serve Thy will, and spread Thy praise:
Implant in me the patriarch's mind,
My sacred cares and toils approve,
And bless the church I leave behind,
The children of my faith and love.

60. [Despicable, frail, and dying]

I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, &c. —xviii. 27.

Despicable, frail, and dying,
Vile before my God I am,
On Thine only grace relying;
Dust and ashes is my name:
Fallen, and corrupt my nature,
Yet I dare address Thy throne,
Speaking through a Mediator,
Him who makes my prayer His own.

61. [Wouldst Thou for fifty righteous men]

I will not destroy it for ten's sake. —xviii. 32.

Wouldst Thou for fifty righteous men,
For ten, the wicked city spare,
And shall ten thousand plead in vain,
And mention Jesus in their prayer?
Thou, Lord, in answer to the just,
Hast long deferr'd Britannia's doom,
And praying on, we humbly trust
The threaten'd curse shall never come.

62. [Unwearied let us still request]

The Lord went His way, &c. —xviii. 33.

Unwearied let us still request
By instant prayer whate'er we want:
The patriarch from asking ceased,
Before the' Almighty ceased to grant.

63. ['Tis thus the Lord His judgment shows]

They smote the men . . . with blindness. —xix. 11.

'Tis thus the Lord His judgment shows
On all that slight His mercy's voice,
Infatuating His harden'd foes,
He blinds them first, and then destroys.

64. [Did I not lingering stand]

While he lingered, the men laid hold, &c. —xix. 16.

Did I not lingering stand,
Till mercy seized my hand,
Nor suffer'd me to look
Tow'rd those I had forsook;
And rescued as a brand I am,
Pluck'd out of the infernal flame!

65. [O may I never look behind]

Escape for thy life, &c. —xix. 17.

O may I never look behind,
To sin and Satan turn again,
Rest in the world, or comfort find
In self, or linger on the plain,
But reaching tow'rd the mountain, fly,
And 'scape to Jesus in the sky.

66. [Jehovah for His servants cares]

Haste thee, escape thither —xix. 22.

Jehovah for His servants cares,
Whene'er He makes His anger known,
The vessels of destruction spares,
Till mercy hath secured its own:
He cannot seal the sinner's doom
In storms of vengeance from above,
Till Lot is unto Zoar come,
And shelter'd safe in Jesu's love.

67. [Kept off by Lot, the fiery rain]

I cannot do anything till thou be come thither. —xix. 22.

Kept off by Lot, the fiery rain
On Sodom cannot yet descend,
The presence of one righteous man
Doth God's impending plagues suspend:
But woe to that devoted race,
Whom their despised protectors leave!
The wrath shall all on them take place,
The yawning gulf its prey receive.

68. [Jehovah from Jehovah pours]

The Lord rained upon Sodom, &c. —xix. 24.

Jehovah from Jehovah pours
His plagues on sinners unforgiven,
The Lord on earth in flaming showers
Hurls vengeance from the Lord in heaven;
For God with Christ, in essence one,
Hath given all judgment to His Son.

69. [Is it a moral sense in man]

I withheld thee from sinning against Me. —xx. 6.

Is it a moral sense in man,
Reason, or pride, or virtue's power,
Which doth from passion's rage restrain,
And save us in the' unguarded hour?
No; but a secret force of Thine,
O Christ, preserves through ways unknown:
Withheld from sin by grace Divine,
I give the praise to God alone.

70. [A thousand secret checks within]

A thousand secret checks within,
To unacknowledged grace I owe;
A thousand times preserved from sin,
I now my kind Preserver know;
Thou didst support my yielding heart,
Thou didst to good my will incline;
And when I chose the better part,
The virtuous thought was all Divine.

I envied oft the swine their meat,
But none the husks of pleasure gave:
Oft by my bosom-sin beset,
Mercy contrived my soul to save:
The grace I trembled to receive,
Escaping from the broken snare;
And scarcely durst my heart believe
That mercy could redeem so far.

Still on a precipice I stand,
Or seem on solid waves to tread;
Secure in an Almighty hand,
When raging flames surround my head;
Nigh is my sin, but Thou art nigher,
And while to Thee my soul I give,
I hang in air, I walk in fire,
In death by miracle I live!

71. [I know the power was Thine]

I know the power was Thine,
Which did from sin restrain,
And saved so oft by grace Divine,
I ask Thy grace again:
From sin withhold me still,
For Jesu's sake alone;
And though inclined to every ill,
I shall consent to none.

To my own net I dare
No longer sacrifice,
Myself to publicans prefer,
Or scorn the slaves of vice:
The slave of vice I am,
If left in danger's hour;
And virtue is an empty name,
Without Thy Spirit's power.

72. [Lord, if indeed from Thee I know]

Lord, if indeed from Thee I know
I cannot my own helper be,
Thy strength in utter weakness show,
Thy grace miraculous in me:
Me from my bosom-lust restrain,
By perfect love's indwelling power;
And I shall never sin again,
Shall never grieve Thy goodness more.

73. [Forgive my partial selfishness]

I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place. —xx. 11.

Forgive my partial selfishness,
My rash, censorious thought:
“Among this people, in this place,
Surely the Lord is not!
If strangers to my sect and name,
Strangers they are to Thee,
God is not fear'd, except by them
Who know and honour me.”

74. [Tremendous oracle Divine!]

Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, &c. —xxii. 2.

Tremendous oracle Divine!
Who can the harsh command obey!
“That son, that only son of thine,
That son beloved, that Isaac slay!”
Whoe'er the God of Abraham know,
Their faith by like obedience prove,
And offering up their Isaacs show
The power supreme of Jesu's love.

Father, Thou call'st me by my name,
Thy sovereign pleasure to fulfil,
And lo, through grace I ready am
To answer all Thy awful will,

By faith I climb the mountain-top,
Thy blessings cheerfully resign,
And yield my dearest comforts up
A bleeding sacrifice Divine.

75. [Resolved, O God, with all to part]

Abraham stretched forth his hand, . . . to slay his son. —xxii. 10.

Resolved, O God, with all to part,
I bring the victim crown'd,
The dearest partner of my heart
Is on the altar bound!
Spirit and soul asunder tear,
I say, Thy will be done;
And thus, by Thee required, I bare
Mine arm to slay my son!

76. [Let angels wonder at the sight!]

Abraham bound Isaac his son, &c. —xxii. 9, 10.

Let angels wonder at the sight!
Fond Abraham's laughter and delight
Is sacrificed at God's command:
The church's hope, behold him lie,
The promised heir, prepared to die,
To die by a paternal hand!
One only act did this exceed,
When Christ, our Sacrifice indeed,
Was by His Father's goodness given,
Deliver'd up for all to' atone,
His Son beloved, His only Son,
The Lord, the joy of earth and heaven!

77. [Safely we may our Isaacs give]

Lay not thine hand upon the lad. —xxii. 12.

Safely we may our Isaacs give,
And leave them on the altar laid:
If best for us that they should live,
A way for their deliverance made
Shall lift our hearts to things above,
And perfect us in heavenly love.

78. [Was not our father Abraham tried]

Because thou hast done this thing, &c. —xxii. 16–18.

Was not our father Abraham tried,
And found completely justified,
By offering up his only son?
The Lord His faithful servant bless'd,
His offspring as the stars increased,
Because he had this action done:
The blessing of the promised Seed
(Received like Isaac from the dead)
Through him to all mankind is given;
And all who with their darlings part,
Shall find the Blessing in their heart,
Joy, righteousness, and Christ, and heaven.

79. [Who that promised Seed receive]

In thy seed shall all the nations, &c. —xxii. 18.

Who that promised Seed receive,
They the truth Divine confess,
Happy they in Jesus live,
Conscious of their happiness:
Yes, we know the grace bestow'd,
(When He doth His Son impart)
Feel the favour of our God,
Feel the image in our heart.

80. [Acquiring his first spot of ground]

The field and the cave . . . were made sure, &c. —xxiii. 20.

Acquiring his first spot of ground,
A burying-place the patriarch found:
May I, like him, a stranger rove,
Heir of the promised land above;
The settlement on earth I crave,
The sole possession is—a grave!

81. [Is God's peculiar people mine?]

Abraham died, . . . and was gathered to his people. —xxv. 8.

Is God's peculiar people mine?
To them I then shall be
Gather'd beneath the Saviour's sign,
And Christ in glory see.

Gather'd into the church above,
Whoe'er to Christ belong
Shall meet to sing the song of love,
The Lamb's eternal song.

82. [Father, to that first-born of Thine]

Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son, &c. —xxvii. 15.

Father, to that first-born of Thine
Thou hast the blessing given,
The power, and dignity Divine,
The' inheritance of heaven.
O how shall I the younger son
The Elder's right obtain?
I'll put my Brother's raiment on,
And thus the blessing gain.

83. [Father, I joyfully believe]

He smelled the smell of his raiment, &c. —xxvii. 27.

Father, I joyfully believe
Thou art well-pleased with me;
Thou dost at my approach perceive
An heavenly fragrancy;
Thou dost Thy gracious will declare,
Thou dost delight to bless;
And why? my Brother's garb I wear,
My Saviour's righteousness.

84. [My Saviour, my God]

Hast thou not a blessing for me? —xxvii. 36.

My Saviour, my God,
I trust in Thy blood,
To bring me the blessing on many bestow'd:
For all it is free,
Though purchased by Thee,
And I know it is mine, when my Lord is in me.

85. [Hated by fiends and men, who feel]

Esau hated Jacob, because of the blessing, &c. —xxvii. 41.

Hated by fiends and men, who feel
Our sins through Christ forgiven,
We glory to be cursed by hell,
For being bless'd by heaven.

86. [What doth the ladder mean]

He dreamed, and behold a ladder, &c. —xxviii. 12, 13.

What doth the ladder mean,
Sent down from the Most High?
Fasten'd to earth its foot is seen,
Its summit to the sky:
Lo! up and down the scale
The angels swiftly move,
And God, the great Invisible,
Himself appears above!

Jesus that ladder is,
The' incarnate Deity,
Partaker of celestial bliss
And human misery;
Sent from His high abode,
To sleeping mortals given,
He stands, and man unites to God,
And earth connects with heaven.

87. [Let Jacob's favour'd race]

Let Jacob's favour'd race
The wondrous scale approve,
Through which alone we have access
To that bright throne above:
The foot on earth is fix'd,
He in our nature dwells,
Sinners and God He stands betwixt,
And God to man reveals.

The top our faith adores,
The top transcends our sight,
Above all earthly things it soars,
And all created height!
His glorious majesty
Our heavenly Lord maintains,
As God He dwells above the sky,
As God for ever reigns.

88. [Pursue the mystery!]

Pursue the mystery!
The duteous angel-train
Ascending and descending see
Upon the Son of Man!
The ministerial host
Their heavenly Lord attend;
And us who in His mercy trust
He bids His guards defend:

Through Christ our living way
Sent from above they come,
Our spirits safely to convey
To our eternal home:
They watch each glorious heir,
And when from flesh released,
Up to our Father's throne they bear,
And lodge us in His breast.

89. [Redeemer of mankind]

Redeemer of mankind,
Who on Thy name rely
A constant intercourse we find
Open'd 'twixt earth and sky:
Mercy and grace and peace
Descend through Thee alone,
And Thou dost all our services
Present before the throne.

On us Thy Father's love
Is for Thy sake bestow'd;
Thou art our Advocate above,
Thou art our way to God:
Our way to God we trace,
And, through Thy name forgiven,
From step to step, from grace to grace.
On Thee we climb to heaven.

90. [In heavenly majesty and grace]

He was afraid, and said, How dreadful, &c. —xxviii. 17.

In heavenly majesty and grace
When God doth to His church appear,
We cry, How dreadful is this place!
With holy joy, and humble fear,
That dares not in His presence move,
Our souls adore His glorious love.

91. [Our hearts o'erflow with praise and prayer]

This is none other but the house of God, &c. —xxviii. 17.

Our hearts o'erflow with praise and prayer,
Whene'er He doth His Son reveal,
His presence makes a Bethel there,
His glory doth the temple fill,
We find in Christ to sinners given
The house of God, the gate of heaven!

92. [She could not live, she could not rest]

Give me children, or else I die. —xxx. 1.

She could not live, she could not rest
Content, if children were denied:
And lo! indulged in her request,
She bore her second son, and died!

93. [Less than Thy least of mercies I]

I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, &c. —xxxii. 10.

Less than Thy least of mercies I
Myself would every moment feel,
Worthy the second death to die,
Worthy the hottest flames of hell;
I would the smallest crumbs of grace
Beneath the Master's table eat,
And till I see Thy glorious face
Lie here, self-loathing at Thy feet.

94. [How often, Lord, hath trouble brought]

We are verily guilty concerning our brother, &c. —xlii. 21.

How often, Lord, hath trouble brought
My long-forgotten sins to mind!
And by this fresh affliction taught,
I tremble at the woes behind:

But while I guilty, guilty plead,
O do not from Thy presence cast,
Nor leave me at my greatest need,
To perish in my sins at last.

Ah! rid me of this fear and doubt,
Doubt that I shall not persevere,
Fear that my sin will find me out,
And plague with all Thy judgments here.
Jesus, whom I to death have sold;
My guilty burden to remove,
Tell me, Thou hast redeem'd of old,
And save me by Thy dying love.

95. [Jesus, I cast my soul on Thee]

I will go down with thee into Egypt, &c. —xlvi. 4.

Jesus, I cast my soul on Thee,
Mighty and merciful to save:
Thou wilt to death go down with me,
And gently lay me in the grave:
This body there shall rest in hope,
This body which the worms destroy;
For surely Thou wilt bring me up
To glorious life, and endless joy.

96. [A few more days preserve me here]

And Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes. —xlvi. 4.

A few more days preserve me here;
And when from earth my spirit flies,
O let a child of mine be near,
A child of God, to close mine eyes!

97. [Before its strong arrest I feel]

The time drew nigh that Israel must die. —xlvii. 29.

Before its strong arrest I feel,
Give me my death's approach to see,
And having lived to serve Thy will,
Lord, let me then depart in Thee.

98. [The great redeeming Angel, Thee]

The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, &c. —xlviii. 16.

The great redeeming Angel, Thee,
O Jesus, I confess:
Who hast through life deliver'd me,
Thou wilt my offspring bless;
Thou that hast borne my sins away,
My children's sins remove,
And bring them through their evil day,
To sing Thy praise above.

99. [My name be on the children? no]

Let my name be named on them. —xlviii. 16.

My name be on the children? no:
But mark them, Lord, with Thine:
Let all the heavenly offspring know
By characters Divine;
Partakers of Thy nature make,
Partakers of Thy Son,
And then the heirs of glory take
To Thine eternal throne.

100. [Unstable, Lord, by nature I]

Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel. —xlix. 4.

Unstable, Lord, by nature I,
And weak as water am,
Till Thou empower me to rely
On Thine almighty name:
Excelling then in holiness
I never shall remove,
Firm as the Rock of Israel's peace,
The rock of heavenly love.

101. [Soon as Shiloh came, the Jews]

The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, &c. —xlix. 10.

Soon as Shiloh came, the Jews
Beheld their sceptre broke,
Who their heavenly King refuse
Must wear a foreign yoke:

But when David's Son we bless,
And sing hosannahs to our Lord,
Then our joyful hearts confess
The kingdom is restored.

102. [Centre of Unity]

Unto Him shall the gathering of the people be. —xlix. 10.

Centre of Unity,
Our precious Corner-stone,
Collect Thy people into Thee,
And perfect them in one;
Break down the wall between,
Even as Thou hast foretold,
And all the wandering sheep bring in,
And make us all one fold.

103. [Object of the world's desire]

Object of the world's desire
Jesus we fain would see,
O might every heart aspire
With ours to rest in Thee!
O might all our Saviour know;
Where'er by sin or Satan driven,
Gather'd to Thy church below,
And to Thy throne in heaven!

104. [Jesus, throughout my threescore years]

I have waited for Thy salvation, O Lord. —xlix. 18.

Jesus, throughout my threescore years
I have for Thy salvation stay'd,
And leaving now the vale of tears,
I dare not doubt Thy promised aid;
Kept by Thy power from acting sin,
The end of faith I here shall see,
Thy perfect righteousness brought in,
And pure in heart return to Thee.

105. [Troops of violent sins and lusts]

Gad, a troop shall overcome him, &c. —xlix. 19.

Troops of violent sins and lusts
Have oft my soul subdued,
Yet my soul in Jesus trusts,
And His victorious blood;
Held by Him, I hold Him fast,
In humble confidence to prove
More than conqueror at last
Through my Redeemer's love.

106. [Shrinking from the cold hand of death]

Jacob gathered up his feet into the bed, &c. —xlix. 33.

Shrinking from the cold hand of death,
I too shall gather up my feet,
Shall soon resign this fleeting breath,
And die, my father's God to meet;
Number'd among Thy people, I
Expect with joy Thy face to see,
Because Thou didst for sinners die,
Thou wilt in death remember me.

EXODUS.

107. [Still to make our numbers less]

Let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, &c. —i. 10.

Still to make our numbers less,
The world their wisdom try,
But the more the world oppress,
The more we multiply:
Though to sin and Satan sold,
We soon to Christ their foe shall fall,
Fight against our masters old,
And more than conquer all.

108. [The world and their infernal god]

The Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve, &c. —i. 13.

The world and their infernal god
Have ruled us with an iron rod,
And long our slavish souls have been
Gall'd by the rigorous yoke of sin:
Yet drudging on with abject fear
We served our haughty lords severe,
And hardly daring to complain,
We kiss'd the rod, and hugg'd the chain.

109. [See here the miracle renew'd]

Behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush, &c. —iii. 2.

See here the miracle renew'd,
A bush that doth the fire abide,
A burning bush, bedew'd with blood,
A church, preserved in Jesu's side!

110. [Thus may I humbly hide my face]

Moses hid his face, for he was afraid, &c. —iii. 6.

Thus may I humbly hide my face,
When God vouchsafes to' appear,
And never count it genuine grace
Which is not mix'd with fear.

111. [Jesus, Thou hear'st Thine Israel groan]

I have surely seen the affliction of My people, &c. —iii. 7, 8.

Jesus, Thou hear'st Thine Israel groan,
Our sorrows all to Thee are known,
(Who struggle from our sins to part,
From man's and Satan's tyranny,)
And while Thou dost our sufferings see,
Thy pitying eye affects Thy heart:

The cruel taskmasters oppress,
Till Thou our captive souls release,
With outstretch'd arm and mighty hand,
Now, Lord, in our behalf come down,
Thine arm extend, Thy strength put on,
And bring us to the promised land.

112. [Faithful and True, we trust in Thee]

To bring them up unto a good land, &c. —iii. 8.

Faithful and True, we trust in Thee;
Thou art come down to set us free
From Pharaoh's yoke, and sin's command:
Now bring us forth, Thy chosen race,
Now in the land of promise place,
The good, and large, and pleasant land!

Good; for 'tis there our Lord we find,
And large enough for all mankind,
With honey and with milk o'erflow'd;
The land which heaven delights to bless,
The land of rest and righteousness,
The earthly paradise of God.

113. [Being of beings, make]

I am that I am. —iii. 14.

Being of beings, make
In me Thy nature known,
Who didst Thyself my nature take
In Thine incarnate Son;
Thy majesty display,
Thy name on me impress,
And what I am, my soul shall say,
I am by Jesu's grace.

114. [How ready is the man to go]

O my Lord, I am not eloquent. —iv. 10.

How ready is the man to go
Whom God hath never sent!
How timorous, diffident, and slow
His chosen instrument!
Lord, if from Thee this mark I have
Of a true messenger,
By whom Thou wilt Thy people save,
And let me always fear.

115. [Slow of speech, and slower still]

Slow of speech, and slower still
Of heart, alas! am I,
Cannot utter what I feel,
Or speak to the Most High:
But I to my Brother look,
Mighty both in word and deed:
He my cause hath undertook,
And lives for me to plead.

Jesus is my great High-priest,
Who doth in heaven appear;
Him presenting my request,
The Father loves to hear:
Jesus, (if His wrath arise,
And justice on the sinner frown,)
Jesus speaks and pacifies,
And prays His anger down.

Jesus is a mouth to me,
Expressing all my wants;
God is vanquish'd by His plea,
And every blessing grants:

O how eloquent His blood
Which echoing from the throne Divine,
Tells me, I am dear to God,
And all He is is mine.

116. [Maker of the mouth of man]

Who hath made man's mouth? &c. —iv. 11.

Maker of the mouth of man,
And Opener too, the Lord
Sends the dumb His will to' explain,
And minister His word;
Deaf, to a deaf world I go
With joyful news of sin forgiven,
Blind, at Jesu's call, I show
The blind their way to heaven.

117. [Soon as in earnest we begin]

Ye are idle, ye are idle, &c. —v. 17.

Soon as in earnest we begin
Our God to serve and please,
Our labour to escape from sin
Is counted idleness:
Yet will we labour on, till He,
Our great Redeemer come,
And set our hearts at liberty,
And take His servants home.

118. [Sure token of redemption near]

Since I came to Pharaoh, he hath done evil, &c. —v. 23.

Sure token of redemption near,
Our servitude is more severe,
And heavier is our chain,
Thou hast not rescued us at all;
Of harder tasks, and sorer thrall,
More deeply we complain.

By this assuredly we know
The tyrant soon shall let us go,
Compell'd by power Divine;
We then to liberty restored
Shall worship our redeeming Lord,
And live for ever Thine.

119. [Witness of my extreme distress]

I will bring you out from under the burdens, &c. —vi. 6.

Witness of my extreme distress,
How long shall I these burdens feel,
Egyptian burdens, that depress,
And sink my abject soul to hell!
If Thou Thy promised help defer,
And suffer me in sin to' expire,
I must a hotter furnace bear,
A furnace of eternal fire.

120. [Jesus, Lord, to Thee I look]

Ye shall know that I am the Lord your God, &c. —vi. 7.

Jesus, Lord, to Thee I look,
Crush'd by my oppressor's yoke;
From this grievous slavery
Thou alone canst set me free:
Then, and only then shall I
Thy redemption testify,
Lighten'd of my guilty load,
Know, Thou art my Lord, my God!

121. [Men in vain with fiends combine]

Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods. —vii. 12.

Men in vain with fiends combine
Thy servants to withstand:
Can they match the rod Divine
With the magician's wand?

Truth prevails, and conquers all,
Like Aaron's rod-devouring rod;
Sin, the world, and Satan fall
Before the church of God.

122. [So, when the Saviour shows His face]

So, when the Saviour shows His face,
And in our hearts vouchsafes to shine,
Our sins are swallow'd up by grace,
Our creature-loves by love divine.

123. [He turn'd their water into blood]

The waters were turned to blood. —vii. 20.

He turn'd their water into blood,
When vengeance was His dread design:
But, thanks to the incarnate God,
He turn'd our water into wine!

124. [How oft have I, like Pharaoh, proved]

When Pharaoh saw that there was respite, &c. —viii. 15.

How oft have I, like Pharaoh, proved
A penitent in pain,
And when I saw the plague removed,
Return'd to sin again!
Hardening my heart, I still rebel,
The worse for each reprieve:
But try if grace cannot prevail,
And now, O Lord, forgive.

125. [Till by Thy mighty signs compell'd]

This is the finger of God! —viii. 19.

Till by Thy mighty signs compell'd,
The world, Thine old Egyptian foe,
The persecutor scorns to yield,
And will not let Thy people go.
Jesus appear, extort the word
From those who now Thy plagues defy,
“This is the finger of the Lord,
This is the work of the Most High!”

126. [Thy people, Lord, if Thou command]

Pharaoh said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God, &c. —viii. 25.

Thy people, Lord, if Thou command,
Are tolerated by Thy foe:
We sacrifice, or in the land,
Or to the fields and deserts go:
This liberty to serve our God
With faith unfeign'd, and conscience pure,
By providential love bestow'd,
Let it from age to age endure.

127. [There needed, Lord, no act of Thine]

The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh. —ix. 12.

There needed, Lord, no act of Thine,
If Pharaoh had an heart like mine:
One moment leave me but alone,
And mine alas, is turn'd to stone!
Thus if the blessing Thou restrain,
The earth is harden'd by the rain
Withheld: and thus, if God depart,
Jehovah hardens Pharaoh's heart!

128. [If punish'd after my desert]

I will send all My plagues upon thine heart. —ix. 14.

If punish'd after my desert,
Inflicted on my senseless heart
I shall Thy judgments bear;
(The sorest plagues Thou hast to send,)
Presumption now, and at my end
The blackness of despair.

129. [Such is the stubbornness of man!]

As yet exaltest thou thyself? —ix. 17.

Such is the stubbornness of man!
So deep in me the evil lies!
Chastised a thousand times in vain,
I still against Thy judgments rise:

Not all Thy judgments can convert
This sinner, or this sin remove,
Unless Thou find it in Thy heart
To soften mine by pardoning love.

130. [Till Tophet takes me in]

How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before Me? —x 3.

Till Tophet takes me in,
I shall rebellious prove,
Unless I feel a power within
Of self-abasing love;
Unless my Saviour's grace
Constrain me to submit,
Grieved that by sin I marr'd His face,
And pierced His hands and feet!

131. [Times without number have I pray'd]

Forgive my sin only this once. —x. 17.

Times without number have I pray'd,
This only once forgive,
Relapsing, when Thy hand was stay'd
And suffer'd me to live:
Yet now the kingdom of Thy peace,
Lord, to my heart restore,
Forgive my vain repentances,
And bid me sin no more.

132. [Alas, when seeming to repent]

Take away this death. —x. 17.

Alas, when seeming to repent,
My first concern has been
How to escape the punishment,
More than the guilt of sin!
But now, O God, for grace I pray,
For more than life I cry,
O take this death of sin away,
And let my body die!

133. [While the world is wrapp'd in night]

All the children of Israel had light in their dwellings. —x. 23.

While the world is wrapp'd in night,
Nor yet the darkness feel,
We the children of the light
In joy and comfort dwell;
Walking in the light of grace,
A brighter day we soon shall prove,
Dazzled with the glorious blaze
Of God's eternal love.

134. [Christ, our Passover, is slain]

They shall take of the blood, and strike it, &c. —xii. 7.

Christ, our Passover, is slain,
To set His people free,
Free from sin's Egyptian chain,
And Pharaoh's tyranny:
Lord, that we may now depart,
And truly serve our pardoning God,
Sprinkle every house and heart
With Thine atoning blood.

135. [Let the angel of the Lord]

The blood shall be to you for a token, &c. —xii. 13.

Let the angel of the Lord
His awful charge fulfil,
Let His pestilential sword
The first-born victims kill;
Safe in snares and deaths we dwell,
Protected by that crimson sign,
From the rage of earth and hell,
And from the wrath Divine.

136. [Wilt Thou not a difference make]

When I see the blood, I will pass over you. —xii. 13.

Wilt Thou not a difference make
Betwixt Thy friend and foe,
Vengeance on the' Egyptians take,
And grace to Israel show?

Know'st Thou not, most righteous God,
We on the paschal Lamb rely?
See us cover'd with the blood,
And pass Thy people by.

137. [How wisely, Saviour, doth Thy love]

Lest peradventure the people repent, &c. —xiii. 17.

How wisely, Saviour, doth Thy love
In our behalf appear,
Unequal enemies remove,
And trials too severe!
Thou dost Thy feeble people hide,
While unprepared for war,
Nor e'er permit us to be tried
Above what we can bear.

138. [Captain of Israel's host, and Guide]

The Lord went before them by day, &c. —xiii. 21.

Captain of Israel's host, and Guide
Of all who seek that land above,
Beneath Thy shadow we abide,
The cloud of Thy protecting love,
Our strength Thy grace, our rule Thy word,
Our end, the glory of the Lord.

By Thine unerring Spirit led,
We shall not in the desert stray,
The light of man's direction need,
Or miss our providential way,
As far from danger as from fear,
While Love, almighty Love, is near.

Yes. J.W.

139. [Enter'd on the vast wilderness]

He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, &c. —xiii. 22.

Enter'd on the vast wilderness,
Jesus, Thy helpless people see,
With comfort and protection bless
Thy gospel-church, redeem'd by Thee;

A cloud by day, a fire by night,
Defend us with Thy heavenly light.

Take not the sacred signs away,
The tokens of Thy guardian power;
Preserved by night, refresh'd by day,
Baptized in many a gracious shower,
Cover us with Thy cloudy shrine,
And in Thy fiery column shine.

To all believers visible,
Who in Thy pardoning love confide,
With us Thou promisest to dwell,
And to that pleasant country guide,
Where Israel finds, of Thee possess'd,
The land of everlasting rest.

140. [Out of the iron furnace brought]

Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. —xiv. 13.

Out of the iron furnace brought,
Whither shall we for refuge fly?
Ere by our fierce pursuers caught,
Jesus, Thou hear'st our suppliant cry;
Thou bidd'st us humbly wait on Thee:
And lo, in patient faith we stand,
The wonders of Thy grace to see,
The saving power of Thy right-hand.

141. [Without a voice he cried]

The Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest, &c. —xiv. 15.

Without a voice he cried,
Without a word he pray'd:
O might that Spirit in me abide
Which still demands Thine aid!
Jesus, Thy church to save,
Appear as heretofore,
And bring us through the parted wave
To the celestial shore.

142. [Forward! but whither shall we go?]

Speak unto the children of Israel, &c. —xiv. 15.

Forward! but whither shall we go?
The desert is on either side,
Behind us the Egyptian foe,
Before, the interposing tide!
Yet while we Thy command obey,
Our road impassable pursue,
The ocean yields an open way,
And lets Thy ransom'd people through.

143. [Angel Divine, who goest before]

The angel removed, and went behind them, &c. —xiv. 19.

Angel Divine, who goest before
Thine Israel in protecting power,
The cloudy pillar interpose,
To stop the fury of our foes,
Behind our threaten'd camp appear,
And let Thy glory guard our rear.

144. [Shout to the Lord, who stands between]

It was a cloud and darkness to them, &c. —xiv. 20.

Shout to the Lord, who stands between,
Whose symbols by our faith are seen!
We now behold His presence shine,
The glorious Shechinah Divine:
Its light to us the pillar shows,
And turns its darkness on our foes.

145. [Why should believing Israel fear]

The one came not near the other all the night. —xiv. 20.

Why should believing Israel fear
The tyrant with his armies near?
In darkness wrapp'd we wait the day;
And till the Lord His arm display,
They cannot reach (for God is nigher)
Or wound us through our Wall of Fire!

146. [O almighty Lord, rebuke]

The Lord looked unto the host, &c. —xiv. 24, 25.

O almighty Lord, rebuke
Our foes' outrageous boast,
Through the fiery column look,
And blast the murderers' host;
Force them, Jesus, to confess
Jehovah doth for Israel fight;
Then the' infernal powers oppress
With everlasting night.

147. [In Moses's song The Lamb we proclaim]

I will sing unto the Lord, &c. —xv. 1.

In Moses's song The Lamb we proclaim:
The praise doth belong To Jesus's name!
Triumphantly glorious Our Jesus hath been,
And more than victorious O'er hell, earth, and sin.

The world and its prince No longer are found;
Our tyrannous sins Are buried and drown'd,
O'erwhelm'd by a motion Of Moses's rod,
And plunged in the ocean Of Jesus's blood!

148. [The Lord is my might: Redeem'd by His grace]

The Lord is my strength and song, &c. —xv. 2.

The Lord is my might: Redeem'd by His grace,
I pay Him His right, I sing of His praise:
Our Lord's habitation, In us He shall dwell,
And all His salvation To sinners reveal.

149. [Our sins are o'erthrown, Which rose against Thee]

Pharaoh's chariots and his host are drowned, &c. —xv. 4.

Our sins are o'erthrown, Which rose against Thee,
They sank as a stone Into the red-sea:
Thou, Lord, hast forgot 'em, As hid from Thine eyes,
And sunk to the bottom They never shall rise.

150. [The Lord is king till that great day]

The Lord shall reign for ever, and ever. —xv. 18.

The Lord is king till that great day,
When all His foes are slain:
When heaven and earth are pass'd away,
He shall for ever reign:
And we shall by His side sit down,
His praises to repeat,
Or cast our crowns before the throne,
And wonder at His feet.

151. [The Lord hath to His servants shown]

The Lord shewed him a tree, &c. —xv. 25.

The Lord hath to His servants shown
The tree on which our Saviour died,
Its virtue in our souls made known,
Its bleeding balm, by faith applied,
Converts our nature's bitterness
To sweetest streams of heavenly grace.

152. [Physician of the sin-sick soul]

I am the Lord that healeth thee. —xv. 26.

Physician of the sin-sick soul,
Thou heal'st us when Thou dost forgive,
Thy mercy makes, and keeps us whole,
In perfect health it bids us live,
In perfect holiness renew'd,
And fill'd with all the life of God.

153. [Truth of the legal sacrament]

This is the bread which the Lord hath given, &c. —xvi. 15.

Truth of the legal sacrament,
He was the manna which He sent:
And daily still to Israel given,
The living Bread comes down from heaven,
That mortals who through faith receive,
By Christ eternally may live.

154. [Pardon admits of no degrees]

He that gathered much had nothing over, &c. —xvi. 18.

Pardon admits of no degrees,
Whether we more rejoice, or less,
But who the Bread of life receive,
As really by faith I live,
As much, as perfectly forgiven,
Through Christ, as the first saint in heaven.

155. ['Tis not so much the bulk of grace]

'Tis not so much the bulk of grace
God minds, as the sincerity;
Our goodness, whether more or less,
Is equal all, O Lord, to Thee.

Of the true manna from above
Who gathers much, has none to spare;
And with the smallest taste of love
Fill'd, as with all Thy heaven, we are.

How can we then complain or boast,
Who feel our interest in that blood;
Possessing either least or most,
By faith we all are sons of God.

Fathers their heavenly Father knew
Whom children have but lately known,
Yet proving God benignly true,
Fathers, and babes in Christ, are one.

156. [Not so the true immortal Bread]

Some of them left of it until the morning, &c. —xvi. 20.

Not so the true immortal Bread,
By which our hungry souls are fed:
If kept by us it always be,
It keeps us from corruption free:
And soon the' incorruptible grace
Shall these vile putrid bodies raise,
Long as our heavenly Food to' endure,
And pure as God Himself is pure.

157. [But on the day of sacred rest]

On the seventh day they found none. —xvi. 27.

But on the day of sacred rest
Above His ancient people bless'd,
Who call our dying Lord to mind,
We each a double portion find,
Gather the manna from above,
And banquet on His richest love.

158. [Would God Himself His people lead]

Wherefore is this, that thou hast brought us, &c. —xvii. 3.

Would God Himself His people lead,
Intending to betray,
His people out of Egypt freed
With thirst and famine slay?
Our souls into this wilderness
Thou couldst not, Lord, allure,
By keeping back Thy special grace
To make our ruin sure.

159. [Saviour, from Thine open side]

Thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come, &c. —xvii. 6.

Saviour, from Thine open side,
When smote with Moses' rod,
Issued forth the sacred tide
Which slakes our thirst for God:
Rock of never-failing love,
Let Thy refreshing streams pursue,
Till with Thee we drink above
The wine for ever new.

160. [Not all the miracles of love]

Is the Lord among us, or not? —xvii. 7.

Not all the miracles of love
Which Thou hast wrought for me
Can out of this base heart remove
Its incredulity:
One hour without the sweets of grace
In peevish haste I mourn,
“The Lord hath left me in distress,
And never will return.”

But, O Thou patient God, forgive
A murmuring Israelite,
And learn me how to wait and grieve
When Thou art out of sight;
By dryness tried, and want, and pain,
I fain in Thee would trust,
Most present with Thy people then
When Thou chastisest most.

161. [Two shadows of one substance see!]

Joshua fought with Amalek: and Moses, &c. —xvii. 10.

Two shadows of one substance see!
The Lord, who set His people free,
Persists to save the ransom'd race;
Jesus doth all the work alone,
Our Captain and High-priest in one,
In Joshua fights, in Moses prays.

High on the hill behold Him stand,
The rod of wonder in His hand;
His prayer inclines the hovering scale:
And through our Advocate above,
And through His Spirit of faith and love,
His fighting church shall still prevail.

162. [Long as our hands are lifted up]

When Moses held up his hand, Israel, &c. —xvii. 11.

Long as our hands are lifted up,
We triumph o'er sin, earth, and hell;
But when in prayer we faint and droop,
Our rallying foes again prevail:
O Thou whose hand is stretch'd out still,
Our sinking hands confirm, and stay,
And wrestle for us on the hill,
And in us here incessant pray.

163. [Steady in continued prayer]

His hands were steady until the going, &c. —xvii. 12, 13.

Steady in continued prayer
Howe'er our hands may be,
We our Joshua's praise declare,
Who gets the victory:
He shall Amalek o'erthrow,
Before our sun of life goes down,
By His Spirit destroy the foe,
And crown us with His crown.

164. [Jesus, we dare believe on Thee]

I will utterly put out the remembrance, &c. —xvii. 14.

Jesus, we dare believe on Thee,
Against this Amalek within,
He soon extirpated shall be,
The name, the last remains of sin;
In all to whom Thy nature's given,
He perishes—on this side heaven.

165. [As an eagle cleaves the air]

I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you, &c. —xix. 4.

As an eagle cleaves the air,
Whose wings support her young,
Jesus doth His people bear,
As swift, as smooth, as strong!
Saviour, urge Thy rapid flight,
Soar to that sublime abode,
Bear us far above all height,
And bring us home to God.

166. [Would God, His greatness to display]

God spake all these words. —xx. 1.

Would God, His greatness to display,
Impracticable laws enjoin,
Laws which we never can obey
With all the helps of grace Divine?

Nay, Thou most gracious Lord and just,
We know Thy sanctifying will,
And through Thy Spirit's power we trust
All Thy commandments to fulfil.

167. [To the temple of the Lord]

In all places where I record My name, I will, &c. —xx. 24.

To the temple of the Lord
Where He doth His name record,
Us who humbly still repair,
Still He meets, and blesses there:

Find we in the hallow'd place
Blessings of peculiar grace;
Double power His word imparts,
Prays His Spirit in our hearts.

Strangely at His table fed,
Nourish'd with immortal Bread,
While He doth Himself make known,
Christ, we cry, is all our own.

Whom we everywhere may find;
Chiefly in the means enjoin'd,
With His gracious fulness given,
Jesus lifts our souls to heaven.

168. [“Thou shalt not suffer her to live:”]

Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. —xxii. 18.

“Thou shalt not suffer her to live:”
But Deists can a witch reprieve,
And Britain's senators reply
“Thou shalt not suffer her to die.”

169. [Better be wise among the few]

Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil. —xxiii. 2.

Better be wise among the few,
Than with the many stray,
Than a mad multitude pursue
Down the destructive way:

While millions, blind in sin, rush on,
Like Lot in Sodom dwell,
And rather go to heaven alone,
Than with a world to hell.

170. [What Thou hast spoke I have not done]

If thou shalt indeed do all that I speak, &c. —xxiii. 22.

What Thou hast spoke I have not done;
Yet Jesus takes the sinner's part,
With me, in Thy beloved Son,
Well pleased, and reconciled Thou art:
My God in Christ the sinner's Friend,
Thou wilt my sure Defender be,
Wilt with my stronger foes contend,
And more than conquer all for me.

171. [Let Me alone, (amazing word!)]

Let Me alone, that My wrath may wax hot, &c. —xxxii. 10.

Let Me alone, (amazing word!)
The' Almighty to His creature cries!
His creature binds the' almighty Lord,
And will not let His anger rise:
Jehovah must the rebels spare,
While Moses doth for mercy groan:
Jehovah hears, in Moses' prayer,
The pleading Spirit of His Son.

172. [But canst Thou not the whole remit]

Nevertheless in the day when I visit, &c. —xxxii. 34.

But canst Thou not the whole remit,
Nor ever visit for my sin?
See the poor leper at Thy feet,
Exert Thy power to make me clean,
Chase by a touch my guilt away,
And take me from the evil day.

173. [Father, show to me Thy glory]

I beseech Thee, shew me Thy glory. —xxxiii. 18.

Father, show to me Thy glory,
Prostrate at Thy gracious throne,
Make Thy goodness pass before me,
All Thy goodness, in Thy Son.
By Thy purifying presence
All my guilt and sin remove,
Speak it to mine inmost essence
Christ is God, and God is love.

174. [Great God, to me the sight afford]

The Lord descended in the cloud, &c. —xxxiv. 5.

Great God, to me the sight afford
To him of old allow'd,
And let my faith behold its Lord
Descending in the cloud:
In that revealing Spirit come down,
Thine attributes proclaim,
And to mine inmost soul make known
The glories of Thy name.

175. [Jehovah-el, I Thee adore]

The Lord passed by before him, &c. —xxxiv. 6.

Jehovah-el, I Thee adore,
Who gav'st my soul to be,
Fountain of being, and of power,
And great in majesty;
The Lord, the mighty God Thou art:
Yet let me rather prove
That name inspoken to my heart,
That favourite name of Love.

176. [Merciful God, Thyself proclaim]

Merciful and gracious. —xxxiv. 6.

Merciful God, Thyself proclaim
In this polluted breast,
Mercy is Thy distinguish'd name,
Which suits a sinner best:

Our misery doth for pity call,
Our sin implores Thy grace,
And Thou art merciful to all
Our lost apostate race.

177. [Thy causeless unexhausted love]

Gracious, long-suffering. —xxxiv. 6.

Thy causeless unexhausted love,
Unmerited and free,
Delights our evil to remove,
And help our misery;
Thou waitest to be gracious still,
Thou dost with sinners bear,
That saved, we may Thy goodness feel,
And all Thy grace declare.

178. [Thy goodness and Thy truth to me]

Abundant in goodness. —xxxiv. 6.

Thy goodness and Thy truth to me,
To every soul abound,
A vast unfathomable sea,
Where all our thoughts are drown'd;
Its streams the whole creation reach,
So plenteous is the store,
Enough for all, enough for each,
Enough for evermore.

179. [Faithful, O Lord, Thy mercies are]

Abundant in truth. —xxxiv. 6.

Faithful, O Lord, Thy mercies are,
A rock that cannot move,
A thousand promises declare
Thy constancy of love:
Throughout the universe it reigns
Unalterably sure,
And while the truth of God remains,
The goodness must endure.

180. [Reserves of unexhausted grace]

Keeping mercy for thousands. —xxxiv. 7.

Reserves of unexhausted grace
Are treasured up in Thee,
For myriads of the fallen race;
For all mankind, and me;
The flowing stream continues full,
Till time its course hath run,
And while eternal ages roll,
Thy mercy shall flow on.

181. [Merciful God, long-suffering, kind]

Forgiving iniquity, and transgression and sin. —xxxiv. 7.

Merciful God, long-suffering, kind,
To me Thy name is show'd;
But sinners most exult to find
Thou art a pardoning God:
Our sins in deed, and word, and thought,
Thou freely dost forgive;
For us Thou by Thy blood hast bought,
And died, that I may live.

182. [Yet wilt Thou not the guilty clear]

That will by no means clear the guilty, &c. —xxxiv. 7.

Yet wilt Thou not the guilty clear,
If we to sin return:
Thy wrath vindictively severe
From age to age shall burn;
Unless our sinful misery
We self-condemn'd bemoan,
And find an Advocate in Thee
Before Thy Father's throne.

183. [Moses fasted forty days]

He was there with the Lord forty days, &c. —xxxiv. 28.

Moses fasted forty days,
Nor miss'd his outward food,
Nourish'd by his Maker's grace,
The partial sight of God:

We shall live completely bless'd,
When face to face our God we see,
On the blissful vision feast
To all eternity.

184. [Thine image if Thou stamp on me]

Moses wist not that his face shone. —xxxiv. 29.

Thine image if Thou stamp on me,
Let others, Lord, the brightness see
By me unseen, unknown:
Nor let them on a creature gaze,
But all the glory of Thy grace
Ascribe to God alone.

185. [Before he put the covering on]

He put a veil on his face. —xxxiv. 33.

Before he put the covering on,
They could not on his visage gaze:
But brighter through the veil it shone,
The glory of his hidden face.

186. [The blessings God on man bestows]

The blessings God on man bestows,
The things He doth, 'tis good to tell:
'Tis good, at times which Jesus shows,
Our glittering graces to conceal.

187. [Will a meek, modest man of God]

When Moses went in before the Lord, &c. —xxxiv. 34.

Will a meek, modest man of God
Rejoice to make the fairest show,
Expose his graces to the crowd,
And charm the dazzled world below?
Or rather take with jealous fear
The veil of true humility,
And glorious as he is appear
To none but that all-seeing Eye?

LEVITICUS.

188. [Thee that my sacrifice may please]

No offering which ye shall bring unto the Lord, &c. —ii. 11.

Thee that my sacrifice may please,
Assist me, Lord, to lay aside
The leaven of all wickedness,
All spite, hypocrisy, and pride:
Anger, and doubt, and anxious care
Out of my heart if Thou remove,
I'll lift up holy hands in prayer
With truth, sincerity, and love.

189. [From nature's different mixtures free]

Ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, &c. —ii. 11.

From nature's different mixtures free,
Honey the joy, and grief the leaven,
I bring my sacrifice to Thee,
Jesus, my great High-priest in heaven:
That God my offering may receive,
I set my heart on things above,
The sour of worldly sorrow leave,
The cloying sweets of creature-love.

190. [Unsavoury all our offerings are]

With all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt. —ii. 13.

Unsavoury all our offerings are,
Till acceptable through Thy Son:
But hear well-pleased our praise and prayer
Presented in His name alone:
The salt we borrow from our Lord,
His meritorious righteousness,
And every deed, and thought, and word
Is season'd now with Jesu's grace.

191. [O Thou who camest from above]

The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar, &c. —vi. 13.

O Thou who camest from above,
The pure, celestial fire to' impart,

Kindle a flame of sacred love
On the mean altar of my heart;
There let it for Thy glory burn
With inextinguishable blaze,
And trembling to its Source return,
In humble prayer, and fervent praise.

Jesus, confirm my heart's desire
To work, and speak, and think for Thee;
Still let me guard the holy fire,
And still stir up Thy gift in me:
Ready for all Thy perfect will,
My acts of faith and love repeat,
Till death Thy endless mercies seal,
And make my sacrifice complete.

192. [Our High-priest the breast-plate wears]

He put the breast-plate upon him, &c. —viii. 8.

Our High-priest the breast-plate wears,
His Israel's Oracle,
Full of truth and grace declares
The Father's perfect will,
Makes His people priests and kings,
His fulness to His church imparts,
The Urim and the Thummim brings
To all believing hearts.

193. [Who for us went up, we know]

Who for us went up, we know,
Resides on earth again,
Lights, perfections to bestow
On poor rebellious men;
Gifts for men He now receives
Our prevalent High-priest above,
Now into our bosom gives
The Spirit of faith and love.

194. [Faith and love the breast-plate make]

Faith and love the breast-plate make
Of perfect righteousness;
Let us then the blessing take,
Whom God delights to bless:
Beautified my will and mind
With wisdom and integrity,
I shall all perfections find,
When Jesus dwells in me.

195. [Happy, Lord, Thy people are]

Happy, Lord, Thy people are,
By full possession Thine!
In their faithful hearts they bear
The Oracle Divine,
Thee consult in all their ways,
And all Thy will rejoice to prove,
Answer'd by the light of grace,
And by the truth of love.

196. [A charge to keep I have]

Keep the charge of the Lord, that ye die not. —viii. 35.

A charge to keep I have,
A God to glorify,
A never-dying soul to save,
And fit it for the sky;
To serve the present age,
My calling to fulfil:
O may it all my powers engage
To do my Master's will!

Arm me with jealous care,
As in Thy sight to live,
And O! Thy servant, Lord, prepare
A strict account to give:

Help me to watch and pray,
And on Thyself rely,
Assured, if I my trust betray,
I shall for ever die.

197. [Aaron lifts up his praying hands]

Aaron lift up his hand towards the people, &c. —ix. 22.

Aaron lifts up his praying hands,
To show from whence the blessing flow'd,
He craves the grace which Christ commands,
Our great High-priest, who sent of God
Blesses this dear-loved world of His
With glorious everlasting bliss.

Aaron a transient blessing gave,
A mortal, typical high-priest;
Jesus for ever lives, to save
The people He at parting bless'd;
Aaron came down, the blessing given,
His Antitype went up to heaven.

198. [Sent, through Jesus, from the skies]

There came a fire out from before the Lord, &c. —ix. 24.

Sent, through Jesus, from the skies,
Spirit of burning, come;
Kindle on the sacrifice,
And all our sins consume:
While Thou dost Thyself reveal,
Our persons, and our works approve,
All our ravish'd souls shall feel
The fire of heavenly love.

Father, trusting in Thy Son,
I bow to Jesu's name,
Glows my heart with warmth unknown,
With pure seraphic flame:

Lost in wonder at Thy grace,
I fall the pardoning God before,
Breathe unutterable praise,
And silently adore.

199. [Warm'd by fond nature's wild desire]

There went out fire from the Lord, &c. —x. 2.

Warm'd by fond nature's wild desire,
I brought strange uncommanded fire;
Inflamed with persecuting zeal,
I served Thee—with the fire of hell:
Yet undevour'd, O God, I sing
Thy grace; and now my offering bring,
Pure incense, kindled from above
By the true fire of Jesu's love.

200. [Why should a living man complain]

Aaron held his peace. —x. 3.

Why should a living man complain
That sinners are struck dead?
Reprieved myself I still remain,
If punish'd in my seed:
Howe'er Thou deal'st with mine, or me,
O stop the murmuring groan;
Or let my only answer be,
Father, Thy will be done!

201. [Unholy, of an holy God]

Ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. —xi. 45.

Unholy, of an holy God
The people we can never be:
But sanctify us by Thy blood,
Jesus, and we Thy face shall see,
Shall bear Thy spotless image here,
And pure before Thy throne appear.

202. [Not the alms, or works of man]

It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. —xvii. 11.

Not the alms, or works of man
Can for his sins atone,

But the Lamb for sinners slain
Hath satisfied alone:
Jesus to His Father paid
The ransom we could never find,
By His blood atonement made
For me, and all mankind.

203. [Through fear of feeble man]

Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart, &c. —xix. 17.

Through fear of feeble man,
Through want of social love,
Lord, I have made Thy precept vain,
Neglecting to reprove;
The' offender in mine eye
I suffer to go on,
A thousand sins in him pass'd by,
And made them all my own.

204. [Ah! save me from a worse extreme]

Ah! save me from a worse extreme,
When sin in others I condemn:
Assist me first to lay aside
The spiteful bitterness of pride,
Reflecting on myself, to see
A soul not half so vile as me,
And then my neighbour to reprove
In meekness, humbleness, and love.

205. [Father, let Thy faithfulness]

I will set My tabernacle among you. —xxvi. 11.

Father, let Thy faithfulness
And love in Christ appear,
The true tabernacle place
Among Thy people here,
Jesus to Thy church reveal
Delighted with an humble shrine,
Give Him in our hearts to dwell
The Shechinah Divine.

206. [Walking in the church below]

I will walk among you, and will be your God, &c. —xxvi. 12.

Walking in the church below,
The garden of the Lord,
Jesus, by Thy presence show
Our paradise restored:
Grant us fellowship with Thee,
Our God in all our souls reside,
Then we shall Thy people be
For ever sanctified.

207. [Lord, if Thou from me hast broke]

I have broken the bands of your yoke, &c. —xxvi. 13.

Lord, if Thou from me hast broke
The power of outward sin,
Burst this Babylonish yoke,
And make me free within;
Bid mine inbred sin depart,
And I Thine utmost word shall prove,
Upright both in life and heart,
And perfected in love.

208. [Father, I do at last relent]

If they then accept of the punishment, &c. —xxvi. 41, 42.

Father, I do at last relent,
My length of painful punishment
I do as just receive;
Think of the covenant in Thy Son,
And O! forget what I have done,
And all my sins forgive.

NUMBERS.

209. [But all may now to God draw nigh]

The stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. —i. 51.

But all may now to God draw nigh,
Spiritual priests of the Most High,
May holy altars raise,

Offer their hearts, with Jesus there,
In grateful sacrificial prayer,
And sweet perfumes of praise.

210. [Come, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost]

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. —vi. 24.

Come, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
One God in persons three,
Bring back the heavenly blessing, lost
By all mankind, and me:
Thy favour, and Thy nature too,
To me, to all restore;
Forgive, and after God renew,
And keep us evermore.

211. [Eternal Sun of Righteousness]

The Lord make His face shine upon thee, &c. —vi. 25.

Eternal Sun of Righteousness,
Display Thy beams Divine,
And cause the glory of Thy face
Upon my heart to shine;
Light in Thy light O may I see,
Thy grace and mercy prove,
Revived, and cheer'd, and bless'd by Thee,
The God of pardoning love.

212. [Lift up Thy countenance serene]

The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, &c. —vi. 26.

Lift up Thy countenance serene,
And let Thy happy child
Behold without a cloud between
The Godhead reconciled:
That all-comprising peace bestow
On me through grace forgiven,
The joys of holiness below,
And then the joys of heaven.

213. [Where is the Hebrews' God]

So it was always: the cloud covered, &c. —ix. 16.

Where is the Hebrews' God,
Who kept them night and day,
Where is the heavenly fire and cloud,
Which show'd Thy church their way?
No symbol visible
We of Thy presence find,
Yet all who would obey Thy will
Shall know their Father's mind.

Father, Thou still dost lead
The children of Thy grace,
The spiritual, believing seed
Throughout this wilderness:
Our chart Thy written word,
Thy Spirit is our guide,
And Christ, the glory of the Lord,
Doth in our hearts reside.

Thy providential care,
Lord, we with joy confess,
Assured Thou wilt our paths prepare,
And order all our ways;
Thy presence shall direct
Our journeys here beneath,
And convoy home Thine own elect
Through a triumphant death.

214. [Who in Thy word confide]

As long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle, &c. —ix. 18.

Who in Thy word confide,
From nature's haste set free,
Our patient souls by faith abide,
And fix their eyes on Thee:
Till Thou wouldst have us go,
We wait Thy Spirit's sign;

And cannot lose our time, we know,
By tarrying, Lord, for Thine.

To work for God is good,
If God our work ordain;
But stay'd by the incumbent cloud,
We in our place remain:
To cease from work is best,
If after Jesu's will;
For when at His command we rest,
We please our Saviour still.

Saviour, we wait the day,
The awful day unknown,
To quit our house, this tent of clay,
To lay our bodies down;
Expecting from above
The certain sign we stand,
As ready always to remove,
And die at Thy command.

215. [Most gracious God, reveal]

At the commandment of the Lord they rested, &c. —ix. 23.

Most gracious God, reveal
Thy will concerning me;
Whate'er I do, whate'er I feel,
I follow Thy decree.
Myself, and all my ways
To Thee I still resign,
Led by the Spirit of Thy grace,
And by the word Divine.

Jesus, I here abide,
Thy pleasure to fulfil;
My soul and all its motions guide
By Thy most holy will;

The counsels of Thy love
Be on my heart impress'd,
It then shall at Thy bidding move,
And at Thy bidding rest.

Eternal Spirit, spread
Thy love throughout my breast,
Who didst Thine ancient people lead,
And causedst them to rest:
While Thou my leader art,
And mak'st me Thine abode,
I find the witness in my heart
That I am born of God.

Father, Thy will be done!
To Thee I all resign,
The sole Disposer of Thine own,
Dispose of me, and mine:
At Thy command I go,
Or quietly attend,
Till all my rests, and toils below
In rest eternal end.

216. [Lord, I Thy charge obey]

They kept the charge of the Lord. —ix. 23.

Lord, I Thy charge obey
Who bidd'st my soul be still,
Whose cloud doth on my body stay,
And stops my acting zeal:
But while withheld I am
From labouring in Thy cause,
Thou bidd'st me suffer for Thy name,
And glory in Thy cross.

Whate'er my God ordain,
Contented and resign'd,
I wait, I watch, in ease, in pain,
The tokens of Thy mind;

To labour on for Thee,
If Thou appoint, I come;
Or let the cloud remain on me,
And sink me to the tomb.

217. [Whoe'er for sensual pleasures burn]

The multitude fell a lusting and said, &c. —xi. 4.

Whoe'er for sensual pleasures burn,
Or wish their lusts to gratify,
Back in their hearts to Egypt turn,
And basely for the fleshpots sigh;
And such, without repentance, shall
Death's victims in the desert fall.

218. [Meekest of all the sons of men]

If Thou deal thus with me, kill me, &c. —xi. 15.

Meekest of all the sons of men,
Did Moses peevishly complain,
And weak impatience show?
The holiest in that virtue fail'd,
In that wherein they most excell'd,
Till God appear'd below.

But now the better hope brought in
Gives perfect liberty from sin,
And Christ vouchsafes to' impart
The Spirit of holiness complete,
To make His saints for glory meet,
To make them meek in heart.

219. [No, Lord; it cannot shorten'd be]

Is the Lord's hand waxed short? —xi. 23.

No, Lord; it cannot shorten'd be,
That hand which plagued the' Egyptian race,
Which brought Thy people through the sea,
Which led them o'er the wilderness;
Which hath to us so often given
Drink from the rock, and bread from heaven!

That hand hath open'd wide mine eyes:
That hand, which now by faith I see,
Measures the floods, and spans the skies,
And grasps the winds,—and covers me!
It brings the blind through ways unknown,
It holds; it lifts me to a throne.

Kept by that hand, I cannot fear
Lest earth or hell should pluck me thence:
I trample on temptation near,
Supported by Omnipotence,
Possess'd of boundless power Divine,
Of boundless love—for Christ is mine!

220. [Eldad, they said, and Medad there]

There ran a young man, and told Moses, &c. —xi. 27.

Eldad, they said, and Medad there
Irregularly bold,
By Moses uncommission'd dare
A separate meeting hold!
And still whom none, but Heaven, will own,
Men whom the world decry,
Men authorised by God alone
Presume to prophesy!

221. [How often have I blindly done]

My lord Moses, forbid them. —xi. 28.

How often have I blindly done
What zealous Joshua did,
Impatient to the rulers run,
And cried “My lords, forbid!
Silence the schismatics; constrain
Their thoughts with ours to' agree;
And sacrifice the souls of men
To idol unity!”

222. [Moses, the minister of God]

Enviest thou for my sake? —xi. 29.

Moses, the minister of God,
Rebukes our partial love,
Who envy at the gifts bestow'd
On those we disapprove:
We do not our own spirit know,
Who wish to see suppress'd
The men that Jesu's spirit show,
The men whom God hath bless'd.

223. [Shall we the Spirit's course restrain]

Would God that all the Lord's people, &c. —xi. 29.

Shall we the Spirit's course restrain,
Or quench the heavenly fire?
Let God His messengers ordain,
And whom He will inspire:
Blow as He list, the Spirit's choice
Of instruments we bless;
We will, if Christ be preach'd, rejoice,
And wish the word success.

Can all be prophets then? are all
Commission'd from above?
No; but whome'er the Lord shall call
We joyfully approve:
O that the church might all receive
The spirit of prophecy,
And all in Christ accepted live,
And all in Jesus die!

224. [Alas for sinners that obtain]

While the flesh was yet between their teeth, &c. —xi. 33.

Alas for sinners that obtain
Their passionate request!
Indulged in nature's lust, they gain
A grief, a curse, a pest:

But our imaginary want
Thou wilt not, Lord, supply;
To them Thou dost in anger grant,
To us in love deny.

225. [Earth and hell Thy law opposes]

Wherefore were ye not afraid to speak, &c. —xii. 8.

Earth and hell Thy law opposes,
Cannot the commandment bear;
Speaking 'gainst Thy servant Moses,
Thee to contradict they dare:
O omnipotent Redeemer,
End their antinomian lore,
Still the undisguised blasphemer,
Let him vex Thy flock no more.

226. [What say the false faint-hearted spies?]

The people be strong, and the cities are walled, &c. —xiii. 28.

What say the false faint-hearted spies?
“Why should we make the world our foe?
Satan's strongholds that reach the skies
Can feeble flesh and blood o'erthrow?
The walls of our corruptions must,
Till death demolish them, remain:
The ruin of all pride, all lust
The Lord hath promised us—in vain.”

227. [How madly rash for puny man]

And moreover we saw the children of Anak there. —xiii. 28.

How madly rash for puny man,
The world, the fiend, and flesh to' oppose!
Our passions will their sway maintain,
Our terrible gigantic foes:
We must, who doubt the gospel-word,
With Satan and the world comply,
We must, who cannot trust the Lord,
Sin on, till we for ever die.

228. [Silence, ye unbelieving fears]

Caleb stilled the people, and said, Let us go up, &c. —xiii. 30.

Silence, ye unbelieving fears,
Who clamorously deny the word!
The promise on our side appears,
The power and goodness of our Lord:
Let us go up in Jesu's name:
Our sins shall all to Christ submit,
And who for us the world o'ercame,
Shall bruise the fiend beneath our feet.

Is anything too hard for God?
Through Jesus we can all things do;
Who Satan and his works destroy'd,
Shall make us more than conquerors too:
Let us at once the land possess,
And taste the blessings from above,
The milk sincere of pardoning grace,
The honey of His perfect love.

229. [In vain, ye fearful, faithless spies]

We be well able to overcome. —xiii. 30.

In vain, ye fearful, faithless spies,
Ye mis-report the land so good;
We stop our ears against your lies
“That sin can never be subdued.”
There's no unconquerable sin:
If God lead forth His host to fight,
We may, we must, the battle win,
And all o'ercome in Jesu's might.

230. [“Ah, no,” the faithless spies reply]

The men that went up with him said, &c. —xiii. 31–33.

“Ah, no,” the faithless spies reply,
Who search'd with us the happy land,
“We cannot scale the forts so high,
Or 'gainst the sons of Anak stand:

Stronger than us our foes we deem.”—
But are they stronger than your Lord?
Giants are grasshoppers to Him,
To all who venture on His word.

231. [Our mighty sins they need not still]

They are stronger than we. —xiii. 31.

Our mighty sins they need not still
O'er us dominion have,
Less mighty to enthrall and kill,
Than Jesus is to save:
We hear our King and Captain's shout
Against our foes abhorr'd,
And leave them now to fight it out
With our almighty Lord.

232. [Poor abject souls that disbelieve]

Would God that we had died in the land, &c. —xiv. 2.

Poor abject souls that disbelieve
The promise, when it comes so nigh!
To God who dare not credence give,
For fear of death they wish to die:
They have the death for which they call;
But justly first their burden bear,
Their bodies in the desert fall,
Their souls are saved by Moses' prayer.

233. [Have I not often wish'd the same]

Have I not often wish'd the same,
In peevishness of mad despair,
Repined I out of Egypt came,
And vex'd I had not perish'd there?
While hopeless the good land to see,
I question'd, Lord, Thy truth and power,
And cried, “A saint I cannot be,
I cannot live, and sin no more.”

234. [Oft as our hearts to sin turn'd back]

Let us make a captain, and let us return, &c. —xiv. 4.

Oft as our hearts to sin turn'd back,
Impatient of Thy rule, we cried,
Of self let us a captain make,
And fly to Egypt with our guide:
And did not mercy stand between,
Our unbelief would still prevail,
Our guide would bring us back to sin,
And nature lead us down to hell.

235. [The Lord doth in His Son delight]

If the Lord delight in us, then He will bring us, &c. —xiv. 8.

The Lord doth in His Son delight,
Doth us for Jesu's sake approve,
Our faith is pleasing in His sight
Productive of obedient love:
And all who thus in Him believe,
Already with the earnest bless'd,
God unto them the land shall give,
The gracious, and the glorious rest.

236. [Nothing but sin can sinners slay]

Only rebel not ye against the Lord. —xiv. 9.

Nothing but sin can sinners slay,
Denied by Him they first deny,
Left by the God they chase away,
Because they will not live, they die;
Compell'd by no decree unknown
Who will not bow to Christ's command,
They perish, by themselves alone
Excluded from that heavenly land.

237. [Come on ye faithful souls, come on]

Neither fear ye the people of the land, &c. —xiv. 9.

Come on ye faithful souls, come on,
'Tis Joshua cries, “Be of good cheer,”
Your Leader to the land unknown,
Who knows your hearts forbids your fear:

Led by almighty truth and grace,
To sure and easy conquest led,
The promise claim, the land possess,
And eat up all your foes like bread.

The Lord Himself is on our side,
His presence in our camp we have,
And those that in His name confide
Jesus shall to the utmost save:
Then let us go with boldness up
'Gainst sin, the world, and Satan's powers,
And never faint, and never stop,
For God, and Christ, and all is ours.

238. [“Stone the blasphemers vile,” they cry]

All the congregation had stoned them with stones. —xiv. 10.

“Stone the blasphemers vile,” they cry,
“Who urge us the good land to win,
And tell us, we may scale the sky,
And talk of living without sin!”
They say, sin never need prevail,
All sin ye may with ease subdue:
They contradict their fellows' tale,
And dare avouch that God is true.

239. [Ah! Lord, with Thee we ask, How long]

How long will this people provoke Me, &c. —xiv. 11.

Ah! Lord, with Thee we ask, How long
Shall men Thy patient Spirit grieve,
Thy power mistrust, Thy goodness wrong,
Thy faithful promise disbelieve?
Not all the wonders Thou hast wrought
Can yet embolden them to seize
The' inheritance Thy blood hath bought,
The land of rest and righteousness.

240. [On us, almighty Lord, bestow]

I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great. —xiv. 17.

On us, almighty Lord, bestow
The blessing which we humbly crave,
The greatness of Thy mercy show,
And magnify Thy power to save;
Take all Thy people's sin away,
Its being with its guilt remove,
And thus in our behalf display
Thy whole omnipotence of love.

241. [Since first we did from Egypt fly]

Pardon, I beseech Thee, the iniquity, &c. —xiv. 19.

Since first we did from Egypt fly,
Hast Thou not shown Thy patient grace,
A thousand times our sin pass'd by,
And pardon'd a rebellious race?
Wherefore by all Thy mercies past
We pray Thee yet again forgive,
And let our souls, subdued at last,
To praise Thy love for ever live.

242. [Would the great God His rebels spare]

I have pardoned according to thy word. —xiv. 20.

Would the great God His rebels spare,
According to a creature's word?
He heard His Son in Moses' prayer:
And still He hears our pleading Lord:
The prayer of but one righteous man,
If Jesus in His servant breathe,
Can the Almighty's wrath restrain,
And millions save from endless death.

243. [Father, Thy promise we embrace]

As truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled, &c. —xiv. 21.

Father, Thy promise we embrace
Seal'd with the oath Divine,
The brightness of Thy heavenly face
Throughout our earth shall shine:

That all may do Thy perfect will
As angels do above,
Thou every ransom'd soul shalt seal
With Jesu's glorious love.

244. [Would we after Christ fulfil]

My servant Caleb, because he had another, &c. —xiv. 24.

Would we after Christ fulfil
The righteous law of love?
Careful to perform His will,
We shall His promise prove:
Who that other Spirit have,
The Spirit of faith to Caleb given,
Christ from all our sins shall save,
And settle us in heaven.

245. [All that in his footsteps tread]

And his seed shall possess it. —xiv. 24.

All that in his footsteps tread,
And dare their faith confess,
They are valiant Caleb's seed,
And shall the land possess:
Trusting God to bring us in,
We shall be perfected in love,
Enter here the rest from sin,
And then the rest above.

246. [And let my carcase fall]

Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness. —xiv. 29.

And let my carcase fall
Here in this wilderness,
So Thou my soul in mercy call,
And bid me die in peace;
For my rebellions past
Condemn'd till death I rove:
But give me to behold at last
Immanuel's land above.

247. [The saving promise is for all]

Ye shall know my breach of promise. —xiv. 34.

The saving promise is for all,
And all may live of Christ possess'd,
Yet thousands in the desert fall,
And never enter into rest:
By God ordain'd to life alone,
Through wilful incredulity
Destroy'd, they in that day shall own
It was no absolute decree!

248. [Who the strength of God distrust]

They presumed to go up unto the hill-top. —xiv. 44.

Who the strength of God distrust
Will in their own confide,
On their own destruction thrust
By selfishness and pride:
Marching up without the Lord,
Smitten before their foes they fly,
Fall on the destroyer's sword,
And unbelievers die.

249. [Raised from the people's lowest lees]

And seek ye the priesthood also? —xvi. 10.

Raised from the people's lowest lees,
Guard, Lord, Thy preaching witnesses,
Nor let their pride the honour claim
Of sealing covenants in Thy name:
Rather than suffer them to dare
Usurp the priestly character,
Save from the arrogant offence,
And snatch them uncorrupted hence.

Query? J. W.

250. [When once the devils are enter'd in]

Separate yourselves from among, &c. —xvi. 21.

When once the devils are enter'd in,
And make the frantic herd rebel,
Following a multitude to sin,
We surely follow them to hell.

251. [Jesus obtain'd us the reprieve]

Depart, I pray you, from the tents, &c. —xvi. 26.

Jesus obtain'd us the reprieve;
Yet must we use the means and fly,
The world, the tents of sinners, leave,
Or blended with the wicked die.

252. [While yet they hear the rebels' cries]

On the morrow all the congregation, &c. —xvi. 41.

While yet they hear the rebels' cries,
Sent quick to hell before their eyes,
Again Thy wrath they dare:
What, Lord, can, all Thy judgments do,
Unless Thy love our hearts renew,
And reign for ever there!

253. [Jesus, the merciful and true]

He stood between the dead and the living, &c. —xvi. 48.

Jesus, the merciful and true,
Between the dead and living stand,
The numerous dead, the living few
Who now divide Britannia's land!
Thou dost as in the midst appear,
Thou hast for all atonement made,
And through the incense of Thy prayer
The plague of unbelief is stay'd.

254. [Happy, for ever happy I]

Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, &c. —xx. 28.

Happy, for ever happy I,
If call'd, like him, the mount to' ascend;
Thine all-sufficient grace supply,
And bless me, Saviour, with his end:
O that without a lingering groan
I might the welcome word receive,
My body with my charge lay down,
And cease at once to work and live!

255. [Who murmur in the wilderness]

Our soul loatheth this light [Heb. vile] bread. —xxi. 5.

Who murmur in the wilderness
By daily wonders fed,
May loathe the comforts of Thy grace
As despicable bread:
But nourish'd still with fresh supplies
Of blessings from above,
The more we taste, the more we prize
The manna of Thy love.

256. [Faint my head, and sick my heart]

When he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. —xxi. 9.

Faint my head, and sick my heart,
Wounded, bruised, in every part,
Satan's fiery sting I feel
Poison'd with the pride of hell:
But if at the point to die
Upward I direct mine eye,
Jesus lifted up I see,
Live by Him, who died for me.

257. [Jesus, mighty to convert]

If Balak would give me his house, &c. —xxii. 18.

Jesus, mighty to convert,
A secret power from Thee
Turn'd the covetous wizard's heart,
And caused his eyes to see;
“Now I must observe the word,
Beneath the government Divine,
Now,” he saith, “I serve the Lord,
And Israel's God is mine.”

258. [O the resistless power of grace]

How shall I curse whom God hath not cursed? —xxiii. 8.

O the resistless power of grace
On an old prophet false, who loved
The wages of unrighteousness,
Till by almighty grace reproved

He with his sin his change confess'd,
And bless'd the men whom God had bless'd.

259. [Did God reject the pious prayer]

Let me die the death of the righteous! —xxiii. 10.

Did God reject the pious prayer,
To' avenge his former wickedness?
His body might the judgment bear,
His soul depart in perfect peace,
A sinner slain, yet justified;
For thus the good Josiah died!

260. [Saviour, thus o'errule Thy foes]

Let my last end be like his! —xxiii. 10.

Saviour, thus o'errule Thy foes,
Thee and Thine who now oppose,
By that Spirit from above
Turn their hatred into love;
Let them here our order see,
Share our happiness in Thee,
Die of Israel's God possess'd,
Live with us for ever bless'd!

261. [His life alas, I have not lived!]

Let me die the death of the righteous, &c. —xxiii. 10.

His life alas, I have not lived!
But from this instant turn'd, and grieved
For my transgressions past,
I live the life of righteousness;
And O my God, with pardon bless,
And give me peace at last.

Saved at my latest hour receive,
And bid Thy joyful servant live
Where grief is chased away,
My lot among the saints assign,
And let their final state be mine
In that triumphant day.

262. [Jacob then was free from blame]

He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, &c. —xxiii. 21.

Jacob then was free from blame,
And uncorrupted stood,
Israel, answering to his name,
Was prevalent with God.
While I keep my conscience clean,
Eschew mine own iniquity,
God, who sees my nature sin,
Imputes not sin to me.

263. [Christ, the Lord our God, Thou art]

The Lord his God is with him, &c. —xxiii. 21.

Christ, the Lord our God, Thou art
With them that trust in Thee;
Still Thou takest Thy people's part
'Gainst every enemy;
Faint our foes, when Thou art near,
Before Thy church they fly, they fall;
King of kings, Thy shout we hear,
And more than conquer all.

264. [Reflecting on this gospel-day]

According to this time it shall be said, &c. —xxiii. 23.

Reflecting on this gospel-day,
And Britain's happy lot,
Latest posterity shall say
What hath Jehovah wrought!
He hath the faithful seed increased,
Ten thousand souls forgiven;
With perfect love His people bless'd,
And caught them up to heaven.

265. [The man whom God so freely loved]

The man whose eyes are open, hath said, &c. —xxiv. 15, 16.

The man whom God so freely loved,
And bade his sin depart,
Opening his eyes, he found removed
The blindness of his heart;

He heard the word, “Let there be light,”
He felt the' almighty grace,
And saw, transform'd, the glorious light
Of his Redeemer's face.

266. [Happy soul, enjoy thy lot]

I shall see Him, but not now, &c. —xxiv. 17.

Happy soul, enjoy thy lot,
Finding Him thou soughtest not:
O that I with thee could say,
“I shall see Him in that day!”
When He doth on earth appear,
O might I behold Him near,
Now, like the old seer, forgiven,
Snatch'd as out of hell to heaven!

267. [Foretold by the converted seer]

There shall come a Star out of Jacob, &c. —xxiv. 17.

Foretold by the converted seer
The Star is out of Jacob come,
The King from Irsael did appear,
His church's foes received their doom,
And Christ, our manifested God,
Hath Satan with his works destroy'd.

Yet come, Thou radiant morning Star,
Again in human darkness shine;
Arise, resplendent from afar,
Assert Thy royalty Divine,
Thy sway o'er all the earth maintain,
And now begin Thy glorious reign.

Smite down the strength of Moab's pride,
The sons of Sheth their walls o'erthrow,
(Whate'er the world and church divide,)
That every soul its Lord may know,
Thee, Jesus, King of kings adore,
Till time and death shall be no more.

268. [Thy kingdom, Lord, we long to see]

Edom shall be a possession. —xxiv. 18.

Thy kingdom, Lord, we long to see:
Thy sceptre o'er the nations shake,
(To' erect that final monarchy)
Edom for Thy possession take,
Take, for Thou didst their ransom find,
The purchased souls of all mankind.

269. [Now let Thy chosen ones appear]

Israel shall do valiantly. —xxiv. 18.

Now let Thy chosen ones appear,
And valiantly the truth maintain,
Dispread Thy gracious kingdom here,
Fly on the rebel sons of men,
Seize them with faith divinely bold,
And force the world into Thy fold.

270. [Jesus, Thy coming we confess]

Out of Jacob shall come, &c. —xxiv. 19.

Jesus, Thy coming we confess
To reign in every faithful heart:
Thou hast subdued our wickedness;
Yet now Thy farther grace impart,
Take this indwelling sin away,
And all its cursed relics slay.

271. [Too well that Amalek I know]

Amalek was the first of the nations, &c. —xxiv. 20.

Too well that Amalek I know
Who still maintains the war within,
Thy people's first and sorest foe:
But Thou, O Christ, shalt end my sin,
Destroy my nature's enmity,
And reign, for ever reign in me.

272. [The powers that did from Chittim come]

And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, &c. —xxiv. 24.

The powers that did from Chittim come,
O'erran and deluged all the East:
The' avenging arms of pagan Rome
Eber's degenerate sons oppress'd,

Slaughter'd, or chased through earth abroad
Those murderers of incarnate God.

While Satan fills the' unerring chair,
They still afflict the chosen seed,
The inward Jews they vex and tear,
The faithful Israelites indeed;
That papal beast the saints o'erpowers,
And with his iron teeth devours.

But Jesus, our triumphant Lord,
Soon as the witnesses are kill'd,
Arm'd with His Spirit's flaming sword,
In glorious majesty reveal'd,
Shall slay the antichrist of Rome,
And seal his everlasting doom.

273. [Thy word, O God, as right and just]

Vex the Midianites, and smite them. —xxv. 17.

Thy word, O God, as right and just
We faithfully receive,
Who wouldst, that no enticing lust
Should unmolested live:
A Midianite we will not spare,
(If Thou Thy grace supply,)
But all that did our souls ensnare
On Jesu's cross shall die.

274. [My sin will find me out, unless]

Be sure your sin will find you out. —xxxii. 23.

My sin will find me out, unless
I first find out my sin, and mourn,
Forsake it, ere the judgment seize,
And to the mighty Fortress turn:
My City of defence is sure,
To which I now by faith repair,
I dwell in Jesu's wounds secure,
And sin shall never find me there.

275. [Ah! foolish souls, the' accursed race]

If ye will not drive out the inhabitants, &c. —xxxiii. 55.

Ah! foolish souls, the' accursed race
Who will not utterly expel,
But suffer sin to keep its place,
But let it in your border dwell!
The' indwelling sin for which ye plead
Shall pierce you through with cruel pains,
Shall make your heart and conscience bleed,
And plague you with its dire remains.

Will ye the hateful relics spare,
And say, it is the Saviour's will?
The thorns ye for yourselves prepare
Your wounded sides and eyes shall feel;
Vex'd by the foes ye leave within,
In vain for rest, or help ye cry,
For you, who choose to live with sin,
There's no redemption—till you die!

276. [The sins which men at Thy command]

I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them. —xxxiii. 56.

The sins which men at Thy command
Refuse, O God, to' expel,
Shall sweep them off the promised land,
Shall drive them out to hell;
The lusts which for the Saviour's sake
They will not mortify,
Shall bring Thy threaten'd curse, and make
Their souls for ever die.

277. [Our City of defence, to Thee]

They shall be unto you cities of refuge, &c. —xxxv. 12.

Our City of defence, to Thee
From the avenger, Lord, we flee,
Who in Thy death confide;

Justice Divine pursues in vain
The men who God Himself have slain,
When shelter'd in Thy side.

278. [But lest we from our City stray]

But if the revenger of blood find him, &c. —xxxv. 27.

But lest we from our City stray,
And justice stern the straggler slay,
Thy hallowing grace bestow,
Bind us with cords of perfect love,
And hide our spotless souls above,
And never let us go.

DEUTERONOMY.

279. [The pleasant land display'd before]

Behold, I have set the land before you, &c. —i. 8.

The pleasant land display'd before
Our eyes of faith we see;
And God, the God of Abraham, swore
To give it unto me:
I now go up, the perfect peace,
The perfect love to feel,
And in that land of righteousness
I shall for ever dwell.

280. [Our brethren, of their foes afraid]

Our brethren have discouraged our heart. —i. 28.

Our brethren, of their foes afraid,
Have us by their report dismay'd;
And listening to their lie,
That “sin can never be brought down,”
Faint-hearted slaves, we must sin on,
Till in despair we die.

281. [Thy messenger we hear]

Dread not, neither be afraid of them, &c. —i. 29, 30.

Thy messenger we hear,
Who tells us better things,

Who in Thy name forbids our fear,
And joyful tidings brings:
The Lord our God and Guide,
Thou dost prepare our way;
Our Captain fights on Israel's side,
And Christ shall win the day:

By Thee from Egypt led
We on to conquer go,
Confident in Thy strength to tread
On each devoted foe;
Thine arm stretch'd out again
Shall put forth all its power,
Till every Canaanite is slain,
And sin exists no more.

282. [Yes, the Lord my God hath bless'd]

The Lord thy God hath blessed thee, &c. —ii. 7.

Yes, the Lord my God hath bless'd
Whate'er my hand hath done,
Seen me labouring after rest,
And all my walking known:
In this ghastly wilderness
Thou hast my kind Preserver been,
Nourish'd with sufficient grace,
And held me back from sin.

283. [Lost, perplex'd with doubts and fears]

These forty years the Lord thy God, &c. —ii. 7.

Lost, perplex'd with doubts and fears,
By endless troubles tried,
Thee for more than forty years
I own my secret Guide:
Now on Jordan's brink I stand,
The borders of that heavenly place,
Wait to cross at Thy command,
And see my Leader's face.

284. [Who dares blame Thy justice, Lord]

We utterly destroyed them, men, women, &c. —iii. 6.

Who dares blame Thy justice, Lord,
Which when their sin was full,
Slew Thy foes with Israel's sword,
And cut off every soul!
Vengeance swept the old away,
But mercy will'd the young to die,
From, though in, the evil day
It snatch'd them to the sky.

285. [Arm'd with Jesu's two-edged sword]

Arm'd with Jesu's two-edged sword
We now His charge fulfil,
All the' inhabitants abhorr'd
Of cursed Canaan kill;
Mercy, Lord, we will not show,
But execute Thy righteous mind,
Root and branch destroy the foe,
Nor leave a sin behind.

286. [We in our Lord's command]

Ye shall not fear them, for the Lord your God, &c. —iii. 22.

We in our Lord's command
A gracious promise hear,
The people of the land,
He saith we shall not fear;
And I shall more than conqueror be,
Since Jesus fights Himself for me.

287. [Lo! in longing hope I stand]

I pray thee, let me go over and see the good land, &c. —iii. 25.

Lo! in longing hope I stand,
To enter, Lord, the goodly land,
Land of liberty and peace,
Happy land of righteousness!

Me who have rebellious been,
Bring into the rest from sin,
Into the rest of ripest love,
Into the rest of saints above.

For Thy people's rest I sigh,
Ready on Jordan's brink to die:
Must I, Lord, excluded be,
Never tread the land I see?
O for mercy's sake revive,
Bid me in Thine image live,
And then in perfect peace depart,
Holy, and just, and pure of heart.

288. [Fain would I, Lord, from earth remove]

Get thee up into the top of Pisgah. —iii. 27.

Fain would I, Lord, from earth remove,
Made meet before Thy face to' appear;
But tell me first Thy name is love,
But show me all Thy goodness here:
Borne on the wings of faith and hope,
I then shall to the mountain fly,
And yield my raptured spirit up,
And fainting on Thy bosom die.

289. [Self Thy word would fain diminish]

Ye shall not add unto the word, &c. —iv. 2.

Self Thy word would fain diminish,
Pride Thy word would fain increase,
But what Thou art pleased to finish
Never can be more or less;
All Thy word without addition
Renders us for glory meet,
Fits us for the blissful vision,
Makes the man of God complete.

290. [Obedience is our pure delight]

Keep and do them, for this is your wisdom. —iv. 6.

Obedience is our pure delight,
Our wisdom, glory, gain,
Unblamable in Jesu's sight
We all with Him obtain:
For while we out of love obey,
Unto salvation wise
We walk in wisdom's pleasant way,
Which leads us to the skies.

291. [Greater than ancient Israel, we]

What nation is there so great who hath God, &c. —iv. 7.

Greater than ancient Israel, we
With open face His glory see,
And God more intimately nigh
Doth now our every want supply,
The Spirit of His Son imparts,
And prays Himself in all our hearts.

292. [From hence, most gracious Lord, from hence]

If from thence thou shalt seek the Lord, &c. —iv. 29.

From hence, most gracious Lord, from hence
The land of my captivity,
I wail my complicate offence,
And turn from every sin to Thee;
Mine utmost strength (which is not mine)
In striving against sin exert,
And weep, and pray for love Divine
With all my soul, and all my heart.

293. [O'erwhelm'd alas, with deep distress]

When thou art in tribulation, &c. —iv. 30, 31.

O'erwhelm'd alas, with deep distress,
O'ertaken by Thy plagues I mourn,
And lo! in these my latest days
To Thee, my pardoning God, I turn:

Obedient now Thy voice I hear;
I will with all Thy words comply:
Avert the punishment I fear,
Nor leave me in my sins to die.

294. [Gracious Lord, who stand'st between]

Speak thou unto us all that the Lord, &c. —v. 27.

Gracious Lord, who stand'st between
The great God and sinful men,
Thee we joyfully will hear;
Speak, Divine Interpreter,
Speak whate'er He speaks to Thee,
Then we shall obedient be,
Then our answering heart shall prove
All the law fulfill'd in love.

295. [Be it according to Thy will]

O that there were such an heart in them, &c. —v. 29.

Be it according to Thy will,
According to Thy soul's desire;
The gracious principle instil,
The tender awe Thou dost require;
I want an heart to fear my Lord:
O take this heart of stone away,
And let me tremble at Thy word,
And only live Thy word to' obey.

296. [Father, Thy merciful design]

That it might be well with them for ever. —v. 29.

Father, Thy merciful design
We see, and joyfully approve,
Thou kindly dost Thy laws enjoin,
To make us happy in Thy love:
With joy we own the gracious end
For which Thy laws were all bestow'd,
Thou dost by each command intend
Our present and eternal good.

297. [Lord, I believe Thy mercy's power]

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, &c. —vi. 5.

Lord, I believe Thy mercy's power
Shall every obstacle remove,
I trust Thy promise to restore
In me the kingdom of Thy love:
Jesus, Thy word cannot be vain;
Truth, power, and love Divine Thou art;
And I shall love my God again,
With all my mind, soul, strength, and heart.

298. [The table of my heart prepare]

These words which I command thee, &c. —vi. 6.

The table of my heart prepare,
(Such power belongs to Thee alone,)
And write, O God, Thy precepts there,
To show Thou still canst write in stone,
So shall my pure obedience prove
All things are possible to love.

299. [Father, instruct my docile heart]

Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children. —vi. 7.

Father, instruct my docile heart,
Apt to instruct I then shall be,
I then shall all Thy words impart,
And teach (as taught myself by Thee)
My children in their earliest days,
To know, and live the life of grace.

300. [When quiet in my house I sit]

Thou shalt talk of them, when thou sittest in thine house. —vi. 7.

When quiet in my house I sit,
Thy book be my companion still,
My joy Thy sayings to repeat,
Talk o'er the records of Thy will,
And search the oracles Divine,
Till every heartfelt word is mine.

301. [O might the gracious words Divine]

And when thou walkest by the way. —vi. 7.

O might the gracious words Divine
Subject of all my converse be,
So would the Lord His follower join,
And walk, and talk Himself with me,
So would my heart His presence prove,
And burn with everlasting love.

302. [Oft as I lay me down to rest]

And when thou liest down. —vi. 7.

Oft as I lay me down to rest,
O may the reconciling word
Sweetly compose my weary breast,
While on the bosom of my Lord
I sink in blissful dreams away,
And visions of eternal day.

303. [Rising to sing my Saviour's praise]

And when thou risest up. —vi. 7.

Rising to sing my Saviour's praise,
Thee may I publish all day long,
And let Thy precious word of grace
Flow from my heart, and fill my tongue,
Fill all my life with purest love,
And join me to Thy church above.

304. [What angel can explain]

The Lord did not set His love upon you, &c. —vii. 7, 8.

What angel can explain
The love of God to man,
The secret cause assign
Of charity Divine?
Nothing in us could move,
Deserve, or claim His love:
'Tis all a mystery,
And must for ever be!

305. ['Tis not a sudden stroke of grace]

The Lord thy God will put out those nations, &c. —vii. 22.

'Tis not a sudden stroke of grace
Destroys at once the cursed race,
When first to Christ we come;
But by degrees insensible
The Lord shall all our sins expel,
And utterly consume.

Both suddenly and gradually. J. W.

306. [So be it Lord; my foes bring down]

The Lord thy God shall deliver them, &c. —vii. 23.

So be it Lord; my foes bring down,
And bid me go victorious on
To my last victory;
Jesus, destroy whom Thou hast bound,
Till not a single sin is found
To stir, or breathe in me.

307. [Deliver'd now into mine hand]

He shall deliver their kings into thine hand, &c. —vii. 24.

Deliver'd now into mine hand,
Not one of all my foes shall stand,
Or dare his conqueror meet,
My reigning lusts shall reign no more,
For ever stripp'd of all their power,
And gasping at my feet.

308. [Jesus, I in Thy promise trust]

There shall no man be able to stand before thee, &c. —vii. 24.

Jesus, I in Thy promise trust,
No bosom-sin, no darling lust
Too strong for me shall prove,
Till Thou their nature hast destroy'd,
And fill'd my soul's unbounded void
With all Thy perfect love.

309. [Can I forget the wondrous ways]

Thou shalt remember all the way, &c. —viii. 2.

Can I forget the wondrous ways
By which Thou hast Thy servant led
Through a long lonely wilderness!
How strangely kept, how strangely fed,

Tempted, and proved by hopes and fears,
I roved for more than forty years!

Provoked, Thou didst not quite depart,
But farther yet Thy Spirit tried,
And show'd the evil of my heart,
The stubbornness, deceit, and pride,
While still I cast Thy grace away,
And would not, when I might, obey.

310. [Saviour, my nature's pride to' abase]

He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, &c. —viii. 3.

Saviour, my nature's pride to' abase,
Thou oft hast seem'd my soul to leave,
Withheld the comforts of Thy grace,
And suffer'd me to pine, and grieve:
But when Thou dost my pride destroy,
Thy sweetness I shall always prove,
And fill'd with righteousness, enjoy
The manna of Thy perfect love.

311. [Long in a tempted state forlorn]

Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, &c. —viii. 16.

Long in a tempted state forlorn
Thou hast my kind Supporter been,
Yet suffer'd me at times to mourn,
To feel that all my heart is sin;
My depth of unbelief to prove,
And groan for all Thy humbling love.

I now Thy love's design perceive;
Me to myself Thy love hath shown,
Thou didst in love Thy servant leave,
To come again and claim Thine own,
To save, when all my griefs were pass'd,
And do me endless good at last.

Never. J. W.

312. [A novice, to myself unknown]

A novice, to myself unknown,
That endless good I could not prove,
Or, when my race was scarce begun,
Attain the goal of perfect love:
But on Thy promise I depend
To bless me at my latter end.

Saviour, my latter end is come,
Now to my parting soul appear,
The root, the man of sin consume,
And let me sink to nothing here,
Resorb'd into perfection's sea,
And lost, for ever lost in Thee!

Yes; whenever God pleases. J.W.

313. [My latter end is come]

To do thee good at thy latter end. —viii. 16.

My latter end is come:
But where's the promised good?
Ah, do it, Lord, and take me home
Through Thy all-cleansing blood!
The gracious work remains
Unfinish'd, and undone:
Fill up my faith, fill up my pains,
And take me to Thy throne.

By Thy own Spirit's might
The work of faith fulfil,
With love's habitual, pure delight
I then shall do Thy will.
I then my God shall see,
With raptured saints adore,
And plunge in Thy immensity,
And bathe for evermore!

314. [Think, thou busy, prosperous man]

Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God, &c. —viii. 18.

Think, thou busy, prosperous man,
From whence thy goods increase,
All thy diligence were vain,
If God refused to bless:
Wealth thou dost through Him acquire,
That all thy soul may heavenward move,
Wing'd with infinite desire
Of Jesu's richest love.

315. [Jesus, taught by Thee we know]

Understand, that the Lord thy God, &c. —ix. 3.

Jesus, taught by Thee we know
The wonders of Thy name,
Thou before our face dost go
As a consuming flame:
Burn with fire unquenchable
Our foes whom Thou dost first o'ercome,
Sin out of our hearts expel,
And root and branch consume.

316. [Faith lays hold on Thy great might]

He shall destroy them, so shalt thou destroy them. —ix. 3.

Faith lays hold on Thy great might,
And forth to battle goes,
Arm'd herewith we put to flight
And triumph o'er our foes.
Trusting in Thy faithful word
We Thine almighty arm employ,
Slay them with Thy Spirit's sword,
And all our sins destroy.

317. [My merit, Lord, and righteousness]

Understand, that the Lord thy God, &c. —ix. 6.

My merit, Lord, and righteousness
I utterly disclaim,
Whate'er I am, whate'er possess,
By grace I have and am;

100

By grace enabled, I receive
Thy blessings from above,
And wait, till Jesu's grace shall give
The crown of perfect love.

318. [Thou need'st the kind command repeat]

Remember, and forget not how thou provokedst, &c. —ix. 7.

Thou need'st the kind command repeat,
So apt the sinner to forget
His former trespasses:
But lest I cast them still behind,
Saviour, bring all my sins to mind,
And on my heart impress.

319. [I now reflect with grief and shame]

From the day that thou didst depart, &c. —ix. 7.

I now reflect with grief and shame,
That since I out of Egypt came,
I have rebellious been,
Provoked Thee in the wilderness,
And wearied out Thy patient grace
By adding sin to sin;

A rebel to this present hour!
Yet now for all Thy mercy's power
I ask with contrite sighs
To end my sin, but not my pain:
I would lament till death, and then
Rejoice in paradise.

God forbid! J.W.

320. [What doth the Lord require of man?]

And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God, &c. —x. 12.

What doth the Lord require of man?
From sin if we can never cease,
Or do the things His laws ordain,
He asks impossibilities!
But if Thou ask them, Lord, from me,
Impossibilities shall be.

101

321. [May we not grant our God's request]

What doth the Lord thy God require, &c. —x. 12.

May we not grant our God's request,
And serve Thee with an heart sincere,
With Thy prevenient Spirit bless'd,
Inspired with Thy ingenuous fear,
And strengthen'd by sufficient grace
To walk in all Thy righteous ways!

322. [O my most condescending Lord]

What doth the Lord thy God request, &c. —x. 12, 13.

O my most condescending Lord,
He humbly stoops to ask my love!
'Tis no impracticable word;
I may, I will obedient prove,
His grace accept, His power exert,
And serve my God with all my heart.

Full of Thy holy love I rise,
To worship spiritual and true,
On eagle's wings my spirit flies,
Whate'er my Lord commands to do,
To answer all my Saviour's will,
And perfectly His law fulfil.

323. [Jesus, Thou dost not sue in vain]

Jesus, Thou dost not sue in vain,
Or ask what I can never give:
Thyself hast placed the power in man
His proffer'd Saviour to receive,
While knocking at the door Thou art,
And criest “My son, give Me thy heart!”

Come in, Thou Supplicant Divine,
I hear Thy voice and open now:
Take my poor heart, no longer mine,
Enter with all Thy fulness Thou;
Take my poor heart, ('tis all Thine own,)
And never leave Thy humble throne.

102

324. [If Thou command it, Lord, we may]

Circumcise the foreskin of your heart, &c. —x. 16.

If Thou command it, Lord, we may
With our transgressions part:
We do cut off, and cast away
The foreskin of our heart;
Our stiff-neck'd souls we bow to Thee,
And trusting in Thy power,
We need no more rebellious be,
We will rebel no more.

325. [Lord, Thy saying I embrace]

There shall no man be able to stand before you. —xi. 25.

Lord, Thy saying I embrace,
And 'gainst my threefold foe,
Trusting the sure word of grace,
To certain conquest go;
Satan, and the world shall fly,
Till bound, and vanquish'd by Thy power,
Feeble sin shall faint, and die,
And fall to rise no more.

326. [Teach me, O God, Thy will to do]

Observe all these words which I command thee, &c. —xii. 28.

Teach me, O God, Thy will to do,
To love myself aright,
My real interest to pursue
By walking in Thy sight:
Walking in all the ways Divine,
O may I thus ensure
A blessing, Lord, on me and mine,
Which always shall endure.

327. [I shall, (when He who saith I shall]

Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God. —xviii. 13.

I shall, (when He who saith I shall,
Hath with Himself bestow'd
Sufficient strength to walk in all
The righteous ways of God,)

103

I shall attain my heart's desire,
And serve like those above,
Complete in His whole will, entire
And perfect in His love.

328. [Father, Thou hast raised Him up]

I will raise them up a Prophet, &c. —xviii. 18.

Father, Thou hast raised Him up,
That Prophet of the Lord,
Every heart's desire and hope,
Thine own eternal Word:
In our feeble flesh array'd
We own the Filial Deity,
Jesus like His brethren made,
To make us all like Thee.

329. [Speak, Thou true Interpreter]

I will put My words in His mouth, &c. —xviii. 18.

Speak, Thou true Interpreter,
Those gracious words Divine,
Give our listening hearts to hear
The Father's voice in Thine;
Now declare the mystery,
And make His utmost counsel known,
Make Thy people one with Thee,
As Thou and God are one.

330. [Woe to them who will not own]

Whosoever will not hearken unto My words, &c. —xviii. 19.

Woe to them who will not own
The Truth, the Life, the Way,
Will not the eternal Son
As God supreme obey!
Judge of all He soon shall come,
The dreadful penalty require,
Every unbeliever doom
To everlasting fire.

104

331. [All that command is love!]

Thou shalt keep all that commandment [Heb.] &c. —xix. 9.

All that command is love!
Which now I long to' obey,
And trust Thee, Saviour, to remove
Whate'er obstructs the way:
Obedient to Thy will
Which doth my heart incline,
I shall by loving Thee fulfil
The perfect law Divine.

332. [The host is now gone forth: to fly]

When the host goeth forth against thine enemies, &c. —xxiii. 9.

The host is now gone forth: to fly;
Or fight? to conquer; or to die?
O, let us cast our sins away,
That God may hear His servants pray,
May us with more than conquest bless,
With glorious and eternal peace.

333. [Strengthen'd by Thy command]

Strengthen'd by Thy command
Against my wickedness,
Henceforth I every sin withstand
Through Thy sufficient grace:
I lay the sin aside
Which caused my frequent fall,
And wait to feel the blood applied
That cleanses me from all.

334. [This be ever on my mind]

Amalek smote the hindmost. —xxv. 18.

This be ever on my mind,
And fill my heart with fear,
Lest again I lag behind,
And loiter in the rear;

105

Let me, Lord, unwearied press
Toward the things before, above,
With the foremost strive to seize
The prize of perfect love.

335. [On Thee, O God, my soul is stay'd]

The Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, &c. —xxx. 6.

On Thee, O God, my soul is stay'd,
And waits to prove Thine utmost will:
The promise by Thy mercy made
Thou canst, Thou wilt in me fulfil:
No more I stagger at Thy power,
Or doubt Thy truth, which cannot move:
Hasten the long-expected hour,
And bless me with Thy perfect love.

One of the stubborn, harden'd race,
Now, Lord, on me the work begin,
And by the Spirit of Thy grace
Cut off the foreskin of my sin:
My stiff-neck'd heart to circumcise,
Thy sanctifying power exert,
And I shall then attain the prize,
And love my God with all my heart.

336. [My God, from whom the precept came]

The word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, &c. —xxx. 14.

My God, from whom the precept came,
Doth power Divine therewith impart,
When Jesus I desire, and name,
The word is in my mouth and heart;
I feel it intimately near,
Soon as my heart believes Him true,
And conscious of His presence here,
Through Jesus I can all things do.

106

337. [Wouldst Thou insult the fallen man]

I have set before you life and death, &c. —xxx. 19.

Wouldst Thou insult the fallen man,
The work of Thy own hands,
Or mock us, Lord, with offers vain,
If Thy decree withstands?
Thou canst not thus our souls deceive,
(Though men their God belie,)
Thou canst not bid us choose to live,
Whom Thou hast doom'd to die.

338. [Have we not then a power from Thee]

Have we not then a power from Thee
Our Saviour, to refuse
The death, the curse, the misery,
And endless life to choose:
May I not turn from sin and live,
And taste how good Thou art?
O let Thy love this moment give
The answer in my heart.

339. [Father, I know my day is nigh]

Behold, thy days approach that thou must die. —xxxi. 14.

Father, I know my day is nigh,
And by Thy justice doom'd to die,
The sentence I receive:
But ere I yield my fleeting breath,
O let my soul redeem'd from death
By faith in Jesus live.

340. [By mercy seal'd in lasting sleep]

Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers. —xxxi. 16.

By mercy seal'd in lasting sleep,
Mine eyes shall then no longer weep;
My flesh in hope shall rest
Blended with my forefathers' dust,
Till waked by Him in whom I trust,
I mingle with the bless'd.

107

341. [Jesus, Son of God, Thou art]

He is the Rock, His work is perfect. —xxxii. 4.

Jesus, Son of God, Thou art
Omnipotence Divine,
Tell it to my faithful heart
That what Thou art is mine;
Rock of everlasting love,
If on Thee my hopes I build,
I Thy perfect work shall prove
With all Thy fulness fill'd.

342. [Their sinful spot the heathen have]

Their spot is not the spot of his children, &c. —xxxii. 5.

Their sinful spot the heathen have;
But whom Thou dost redeem,
Jesus, omnipotent to save,
It cannot cleave to them:
Thou shedd'st Thy blood (and not in vain
Did the rich current flow)
To make us clean from every stain,
Thy spotless church below.

No wrinkle of the Adam old
Shall on Thy saints be seen;
The sons of God are pure as gold,
When grown to perfect men:
And if I in Thy word confide,
Thou, Lord, shalt say to me,
“Thou art all fair, My love, My bride,
There is no spot in thee!”

343. [He found me in a desert place]

He found him in a desert land, &c. —xxxii. 10.

He found me in a desert place,
Where far from God I roved,
And led me through the legal maze,
And chasten'd whom He loved;

108

Kept as the apple of His eye,
With tenderest care caress'd,
And saved my soul, while sin was nigh,
And hid me in His breast.

344. [The eagle fond her charge awakes]

As an eagle stirreth up her nest, &c. —xxxii. 11, 12.

The eagle fond her charge awakes
Where in the nest they doze,
And while her fluttering plumes she shakes
The way to fly she shows;
She spreads her wings, her young to bear,
Before their own they try,
And takes them up, and cleaves the air,
And soars above the sky.

345. ['Twas thus in nature's sleep I lay]

'Twas thus in nature's sleep I lay,
When Christ His Spirit shed:
His Spirit stirr'd me up to pray,
And hover'd o'er my head,
Infusing the first gracious hope
He spread His wings abroad,
And train'd His infant-pupil up
To seek the face of God.

346. [The object of His kindest care]

The object of His kindest care
He never yet forsook,
But did Himself my weakness bear,
And all my burden took,
He bore me up, from earth He bore
On wings of heavenly love,
And taught my callow soul to soar
To those bright realms above.

109

347. [The Spirit of redeeming grace]

The Spirit of redeeming grace
Hath been my sure defence,
And through the pathless wilderness
Led on my innocence,
When simple as a little child
All idols I abhorr'd,
And saw, as my Redeemer smiled,
My paradise restored.

348. [When first He freely justified]

He made him ride on the high places, &c. —xxxii. 13, 14.

When first He freely justified,
And did my pardon seal,
O'er earth's strongholds He bade me ride,
O'er all the powers of hell:
Butter and milk He made me eat,
And lifted up on high
I saw the moon beneath my feet,
I soar'd above the sky.

With all the new-born babes I fed
Upon the milky word,
Partaker of the children's bread,
The favour of my Lord;
I feasted on the Paschal Lamb
Who all my wants supplied,
And with the sweetness of His name
My soul was satisfied.

The bliss of those above I knew,
The angels' food partook,
Fresh oil, and sweetest honey drew
Out of the heavenly Rock;

110

The joy, and love from Jesus flow'd,
And tasting Him as mine,
I drank the purest richest blood
Of that immortal Vine.

349. [And have not I ungrateful been]

But Jeshurun waxed fat and kicked, &c. —xxxii. 15.

And have not I ungrateful been,
Basely forsook my God for sin,
My God who form'd me man,
Abused my Saviour's pardoning grace,
And turn'd it into wantonness,
And murder'd Him again!

Thee that I may no more forsake,
O Rock of my salvation, take
And keep me in Thy side;
There in the open cleft secure
My contrite heart, my spirit poor
From sin for ever hide.

350. [Dost Thou not, Lord, with pity see]

The Lord shall repent Himself, &c. —xxxii. 36.

Dost Thou not, Lord, with pity see
My helplessness and misery,
Dost Thou not hear Thy servant groan,
And know, that all my power is gone?
Returning now in tenderest love,
Thy judgments with their cause remove,
Take my oppressive sin away,
And give me back an heart to pray.

351. [Thy killing and Thy quickening power]

I kill, and I make alive. —xxxii. 39.

Thy killing and Thy quickening power,
Jesus, in me display,
My life of nature, from this hour,
My pride and passion slay;

111

Then, then, my utmost Saviour, raise
My soul with saints above
To serve Thy will, and spread Thy praise,
And sing Thy perfect love.

352. [Deepen the wound Thy hands have made]

I wound, and I heal. —xxxii. 39.

Deepen the wound Thy hands have made
In this weak helpless soul,
Till mercy with its balmy aid
Descend to make me whole:
The sharpness of Thy two-edged sword
Enable me to' endure,
Till bold to cry “My hallowing Lord
Hath wrought a perfect cure!”

353. [Is it a thing so small]

Get thee up and die. —xxxii. 49, 50.

Is it a thing so small,
So easy to comply,
When summon'd by a sudden call
To get us up, and die?
For those who humbly keep
The faith by Christ bestow'd,
To die is but to fall asleep
In the soft arms of God!

O could I thus sink down
To everlasting rest,
Without a lingering sigh or groan,
On my Redeemer's breast!
Jesus, Thy blood apply,
Thy mind and Spirit give,
Then shall I get me up and die,
Then shall I truly live.

112

354. [Thrice welcome word to those who live]

Thrice welcome word to those who live
By faith in Him, their hearts receive
With true affection fill'd,
Who feel redemption in His blood,
And happy in the peace of God
Enjoy their pardon seal'd.

Before I render up my breath
Stronger than sin, and hell, and death,
Thy love I long to know.
Thy love omnipotent impart,
To strengthen and renew my heart,
And let my spirit go.

355. [The people out of Egypt brought]

Yea, He loved the people: all His saints, &c. —xxxiii. 3.

The people out of Egypt brought,
Whose burdens He removed,
Whom with a thousand pangs He bought,
More than His life He loved.
Stronger than death His love was shown:
And still He doth defend,
And having freely loved His own,
Will love them to the end.

Whom Jesu's blood doth sanctify
Need neither sin nor fear;
Hid in our Saviour's hands we lie,
And laugh at danger near.
His guardian hand doth hold, protect,
And save by ways unknown,
The little flock, the saints elect,
Who trust in Him alone.

113

Our Prophet, Priest, and King, to Thee
We joyfully submit;
And learn, in meek humility,
Our lesson at Thy feet.
Spirit and life Thy words impart,
And blessings from above;
And drop in every listening heart,
The manna of Thy love.

Now, Lord, with simple faith divine,
Thy lessons we receive,
Rule upon rule, line upon line,
And by Thy Spirit live.
Till late to all Thy life restored,
And ripen'd for the sky,
We hear that last, and sweetest word,
“Go, get thee up and die.”

356. [As my day my strength hath been]

As thy days, so shall thy strength be. —xxxiii. 25.

As my day my strength hath been,
And shall for ever be,
Grace, an overmatch for sin,
Will still deliver me;
Every day the truth I prove
Of Jesus my almighty Friend,
Kept by Him, whose constant love
Shall keep me to the end.

357. [God of the upright ones]

There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, &c. —xxxiii. 26.

God of the upright ones,
Who can with Him compare!
He makes the house of Israel's sons
His everlasting care:

114

Jehovah's rapid course
What can resist, or shun,
When heaven is His managed horse,
And brings the Thunderer down!

Glorious in majesty,
He takes the whirlwind's wings,
Sublime He rides upon the sky,
And help to Israel brings;
His people's sure defence
He takes them to His breast;
And safe in His omnipotence
They shall for ever rest.

358. [Secure in Christ I dwell]

The eternal God is thy refuge, &c. —xxxiii. 27.

Secure in Christ I dwell,
Jeshurun's God is mine,
I feel it now, by faith I feel
The' eternal strength Divine;
My refuge in distress,
In every trying hour,
Jesus, Thy saving name I bless,
And shout within my tower.

From sin preserved in Thee,
Thy fulness I embrace,
And wait for more than victory,
For all Thy hallowing grace:
I laugh at hell and death,
And every moment prove
The everlasting arms beneath,
The everlasting love.

115

359. [Eternal God, my refuge now]

Eternal God, my refuge now
In trouble and temptation Thou:
Though still to sin inclined,
Safe from the snares of hell and death
Thine everlasting arms beneath
My sinking soul I find.

Yet, Lord, I ask a further grace:
The guilt original efface,
The inbred foe exclude;
I then shall dwell conceal'd with Thee
In spiritual serenity,
In blissful solitude.

Happy as the first sinless man,
I then my paradise regain
And rival those above,
Inflamed with pure seraphic zeal,
To do Thine acceptable will
In innocence and love.

In the highway of holiness
I walk with Christ in perfect peace,
Contemplating the prize,
Smooth as on eagle's wings ascend,
Translated with my heavenly Friend,
And grasp Thee in the skies.

360. [Lord, I Thy truth proclaim]

He shall thrust out the enemy, &c. —xxxiii. 27.

Lord, I Thy truth proclaim,
And all-sufficient grace,
Kept by the virtue of Thy name
To perfect holiness:

116

Till Thou Thyself reveal,
I on the promise feed,
Thou wilt the enemy expel,
And slay the cursed seed:

The enemy within
He shall not long annoy,
Thou surely wilt extirpate sin,
And utterly destroy.
Thou wilt my soul defend,
Fulfil Thine own design,
My unbelief and troubles end,
And make me all Divine.

361. [Jesus, Thyself impart]

Israel then shall dwell in safety alone. —xxxiii. 28.

Jesus, Thyself impart,
The world and sin to' exclude,
And let me find it in my heart
The long-sought solitude,
The still sequester'd shade
For which Thy people pine,
The bower for weary spirits made
By the celestial Vine!

That secret place afford,
That shelter in Thy side,
And by Thy constant presence, Lord,
My soul for ever hide:
Secure I then shall dwell,
Delightfully alone,
Till Thou Thy glorious life reveal,
And take me to Thy throne.

117

362. [Meanest of Jacob's race]

The fountain [or Eye Heb.] of Jacob, &c. —xxxiii. 28.

Meanest of Jacob's race
By Jordan's stream I stand,
And lo! mine eye of faith surveys
The wide extended land!
A land of corn and wine
Our spirits to sustain,
And fill with vigorous life Divine
The gladden'd heart of man:

There the soft dew distils,
The soul-reviving bliss,
And Christ His pardoning grace reveals,
And whispers I am His,
Till God His Spirit pours,
His fulness from above,
In streams of righteousness, and showers
Of everlasting love.

363. [Israel, exult to prove]

Happy art thou, O Israel, &c. —xxxiii. 29.

Israel, exult to prove
How dear to God thou art,
Object of His peculiar love
Who made thee pure in heart;
Feel all thy happiness,
When Christ is form'd in thee,
Consummate joy, and perfect peace,
And spotless charity:

Saved to the utmost here,
When Christ is fully thine,
And meet before thy God to' appear,
In righteousness Divine,

118

Clothed with that heavenly Sun,
Behold His brightest blaze,
Go put thy robes of glory on,
And see Him face to face.

364. [How safe, when God hath seal'd]

The Lord is the shield of thy help, &c. —xxxiii. 29.

How safe, when God hath seal'd
And hid our life above,
We rest surrounded with the shield
Of His almighty love!
Arm'd with His Spirit's sword,
Which slays the man of sin,
We prove the truth of Jesu's word,
Redeem'd and saved within:

Flesh, earth, and Satan join'd,
Cry out, it cannot be!
But them we soon shall liars find,
From sin entirely free:
Through the great strength of God
We trust to tread them down,
And triumph o'er our foes destroy'd,
And take the starry crown.

365. [Rapt to Pisgah's top, I stand]

Moses went up to the top of Pisgah. —xxxiv. 1.

Rapt to Pisgah's top, I stand,
And more than see the promised land!
Flows the word in milky rills,
Honey from the rock distils;
Fountains pure of life arise,
Flowers, and trees of paradise;
And heavenly joys on earth I prove:
Heaven on earth is Jesu's love!

119

366. [Moses, when dead, himself survives]

His eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. —xxxiv. 7.

Moses, when dead, himself survives,
He always in his precepts lives;
Though sinners dream his office o'er,
He loses nothing of his power,
His sight is as the eagle's strong,
And Sinai thunders in his tongue.

Think not the law through faith made void,
Its vigour cannot be destroy'd:
It marks our hearts with quickest eye,
And doth our smallest faults espy,
It seizes with almighty hands,
And holds us in eternal bands.

It holds us, when by grace set free
From curse, and fear, and penalty;
The easy yoke of Christ we prove,
Bound to obey the God we love;
And when these heavens are pass'd away,
We still shall glory to obey.

JOSHUA.

367. [Moses might lead to Jordan's tide]

Arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, &c. —i. 2.

Moses might lead to Jordan's tide,
But there surrenders his command;
Our Joshua must the waves divide,
Bring us into the promised land:
Train'd by the law, we see our place,
We gain the' inheritance by grace.

120

368. [The land of uprightness]

Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread, &c. —i. 3.

The land of uprightness
I set my foot upon,
By faith I touch it, Lord, and seize,
And take it for my own!

369. [The promise to myself I take]

I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. —i. 5.

The promise to myself I take,
Me, me Thou never wilt forsake
Who on Thy Son depend:
Thy faith is plighted to my Lord,
And safe I hang upon the word
Of mine eternal Friend.

370. [By faith I on His strength lay hold]

Be thou strong and very courageous, &c. —i. 7.

By faith I on His strength lay hold,
And walk in Christ my way,
Divinely confident, and bold
His perfect law to' obey;
I shall perform His utmost will,
As sure as God is true,
And do the thing impossible
Which Jesus bids me do.

371. [Arm'd with the presence of my Lord]

Be strong and of a good courage, be not afraid, &c. —i. 9.

Arm'd with the presence of my Lord
I must be of good cheer,
Confiding in Thy faithful word,
I cannot faint or fear:
Go with me then where'er I go,
And lo! I sink, and rise,
And pass the gates of hell below,
And mount to paradise.

121

372. [Chief Captain of Jehovah's host]

As Captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. —v. 14.

Chief Captain of Jehovah's host,
Jehovah we adore,
In Thee our real Joshua trust,
And prove Thy matchless power;
We now embrace and follow Thee
By Thy great Father given:
Led on to certain victory,
To holiness, and heaven.

373. [Shall our corruptions stand]

On the seventh day they compassed the city seven times. —vi. 15.

Shall our corruptions stand,
Till death the walls o'erthrow?
Who bow to Joshua's high command,
We have not learn'd Him so:
We compass them about,
Day after day surround,
And wait the' appointed sign to shout,
The trumpet's sacred sound:

We wait in patient pain,
Our toilsome week fulfil;
Yet still the walls entire remain,
And undemolish'd still:
But though our nature's haste
Can never sin remove,
The seventh is the day of rest,
And brings the perfect love.

374. [Then let us urge our way]

When the people heard the sound of the trumpet, &c. —vi. 20.

Then let us urge our way,
And work, and suffer on,
Nor dream, the first, or second, day
Will throw the bulwarks down:

122

We on the sacred morn
Our sevenfold toil repeat,
Expecting that the latest turn
Our labour shall complete.

Then, then we shall obtain
The victory one and all,
The number of perfection gain,
And see the city fall,
Partakers of our hope
Our calling's glorious prize,
To finish'd holiness go up,
And then to paradise.

When God pleases. J. W.

375. [Jesus, as taught by Thee I plead]

What wilt Thou do unto Thy great name? —vii. 9.

Jesus, as taught by Thee I plead,
If vanquish'd by my foes I am,
My foes, which on Thy servant tread,
Will pour contempt on Thy great name:
Ah! leave me not engaged in fight
To lose my shield, and turn my back,
But arm with all Thy Spirit's might,
And save me—for religion's sake!

376. [What profits prayer itself, unless]

Get thee up: wherefore liest thou upon, &c. —vii. 10, 11.

What profits prayer itself, unless
We put the cursed thing away?
Lord, let us first the sin redress,
And then against the judgment pray.

377. [The secret curse, the bosom sin]

Thou canst not stand before thine enemies, &c. —vii. 13.

The secret curse, the bosom sin
Through faith in Jesus I remove,
And sure the victory to win,
And more than conqueror to prove,

123

'Gainst Satan and the world I go,
(My Lord hath both for me o'ercome,)
And trample on my latest foe,
And march with Christ triumphant home.

378. [Lord, if some secret sin of mine]

Achan was taken. —vii. 18.

Lord, if some secret sin of mine
Doth now for public judgments call,
Obstruct the course of grace Divine,
And bring Thy righteous wrath on all;
Before the dreadful day o'ertake,
When sinners shall their doom receive,
O may I here confess, forsake,
Abhor the cursed thing, and live.

379. [“I saw, and coveted, and took!”]

When I saw, then I coveted them, and took them. —vii. 21.

“I saw, and coveted, and took!”
The progress this of every sin;
While death, admitted by a look,
Lets everlasting judgments in:
But if an eye of faith on Thee
I turn, directed by Thy word,
Jesus mine Advocate I see,
I see, desire, and take my Lord.

380. [Condemn'd to die, of death afraid]

Joshua made peace with them, and made, &c. —ix. 15.

Condemn'd to die, of death afraid,
Our heavenly Joshua we address,
In rags of our own vileness clad,
Undone, if Thou refuse us peace,
But if Thy hand, Thy word Thou give,
We may, we shall for ever live.

124

381. [Besieged by all the powers of night]

The men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua, &c. —x. 6.

Besieged by all the powers of night
For having made a peace with God,
Unequal to our foes in fight,
To Joshua in His high abode
Our prayers, as messengers, we send,
And trust Thou wilt Thine own defend.

Slack not Thine hand, but hasten down
To save Thy servants in distress,
By mercy bound to help Thine own,
Bound by Thy covenant of peace,
Thou canst not fail the souls, who trust
That Thou art good, that Thou art just.

382. [Jesus, Thy sovereign will]

Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon. —x. 12.

Jesus, Thy sovereign will
Doth nature's course control;
O bid my sun of life stand still,
And stop my parting soul:
My soul in life detain,
Till Thou hast all subdued,
Avenged me of my foes, and slain
The whole accursed brood.

O that the work were done,
That sin were all destroy'd!
How swiftly should I then go down,
How gladly set in God:
Sure with the morning rays
Of that great day to rise,
And bright with borrow'd glory blaze
Eternal in the skies.

125

383. [Pride, and nature's various lusts]

Put your feet upon the necks of these kings. —x. 24.

Pride, and nature's various lusts
O'er infidels may reign,
We, who serve the Lord of hosts,
Their slavish yoke disdain;
See the tyrants fierce o'erthrown,
Compell'd by Joshua to submit,
All our sins we trample down
As dirt beneath our feet.

384. [Jesus, command us to draw near]

Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. —x. 24.

Jesus, command us to draw near,
With confidence that casts out fear,
To trample on our foes o'erthrown,
To tread the kings of Canaan down,
As sharers of Thy victory,
And more than conquerors through Thee.

Thy mighty arm, in Israel's sight,
Hath put the alien hosts to flight,
Hath seized the chiefs, and captive led
Or but for execution freed;
Thine arm hath dragg'd them out again,
To fall, and die for ever slain.

But first, through virtue of Thy word,
And strong in our almighty Lord,
Before their final doom they meet,
Upon their necks we set our feet,
The tyrant-lusts and passions spurn,
Which rule in all of woman born.

385. [Jesus, now on sin we tread]

Afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them. —x. 26.

Jesus, now on sin we tread,
But still we look to Thee:
Conqueror of our foes, proceed
To more than victory.

126

Spirit and soul-dividing Word,
Thine utmost energy display,
Smite them with Thy two-edged sword,
And sin for ever slay.

386. [Joshua from above, Thy will]

He left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all. —x. 40.

Joshua from above, Thy will
Concerning us we know,
Thou wilt the destruction seal
Of all our sins below;
None shall in our flesh remain,
All shall die a perfect death
By Thy brightest presence slain,
And by Thy glorious breath.

387. [Grace which sure salvation brings]

Joshua made war a long time with all those kings. —xi. 18.

Grace which sure salvation brings,
Doth long the war maintain,
Fights those other lords and kings,
Who over us did reign:
He who leads the hosts of God,
Conquers, and reconquers all,
Till by Joshua's sword destroy'd
They into nothing fall.

388. [Come, victorious Captain, come]

At that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims. —xi. 21.

Come, victorious Captain, come
In Thine appointed day,
Execute their righteous doom,
The sons of Anak slay;
Now these tallest giants kill,
Who longest in the land abide,
All my stubbornness of will,
And all my strength of pride.

127

389. [Jesus, full of truth and grace]

Joshua took the whole land, and gave it, &c. —xi. 23.

Jesus, full of truth and grace,
Among the sanctified
The true Israelitish race,
Thou dost the land divide:
O might I, even I obtain
The bliss to all Thy people given,
Bless'd, for ever bless'd, to gain
The meanest lot in heaven.

390. [We wrestle not with flesh and blood]

The land rested from war. —xi. 23.

We wrestle not with flesh and blood,
The world and Satan are subdued,
And can no more molest,
When Christ hath made an end of sin,
And brought His hallow'd people in
To that remaining rest.

Intestine wars and fightings cease,
When Jesus doth with perfect peace
His throne in us maintain,
King of the saints beneath, above,
In all the majesty of love
He shall for ever reign.

391. [Kept by the almighty Lord]

Behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, &c. —xiv. 10.

Kept by the almighty Lord,
My Keeper I admire,
(Christ by highest heaven adored)
And praise Him in the fire;
Who so long hast saved me here,
A few more days preserve Thine own,
Till by Thee prepared to' appear,
And sing before Thy throne.

128

392. [Backward alas, too long, and slack]

How long are you slack to go to possess, &c. —xviii. 3.

Backward alas, too long, and slack
To' accept the grace bestow'd,
The pardon now we gladly take,
The purity of God;
Boldly go up, in Jesu's name
Our portion to possess,
And confident, the land we claim
Of perfect righteousness.

393. [Let heaven my sad confession hear!]

When he that doth flee unto one of those cities, &c. —xx. 4.

Let heaven my sad confession hear!
I at the city's gate appear,
All stain'd with guiltless blood!
Alas, I have my brother slain,
And knew not that the slaughter'd Man
Was the eternal God.
A trembling, persecuted slayer,
Father, I now my cause declare;
Admit the fugitive,
From vengeance screen'd by Christ alone
And in Thy well-beloved Son
Let me for ever live.

394. [Holy and Just, I fly to Thee]

They appointed Kedesh [i.e. holy]. —xx. 7.

Holy and Just, I fly to Thee,
Thy name shall my protection be,
When guilty terrors press;
I leave the' avenger far behind,
Soon as by humble faith I find
The Lord my righteousness!

395. [Sole Governor of earth and skies]

They appointed Shechem [i.e. a shoulder]. —xx. 7.

Sole Governor of earth and skies,
The burden on Thy shoulder lies
Who all our sins didst bear,

129

Securely shelter'd in Thy breast,
Hid by almighty Love, I rest,
Thine everlasting care.

396. [Thee, Saviour, I my refuge make]

They appointed Hebron [i.e. fellowship]. —xx. 7.

Thee, Saviour, I my refuge make;
And when Thy nature I partake,
And all Thy fulness feel,
From fear, and sin, and sorrow free,
In perfect fellowship with Thee
I shall for ever dwell.

397. [Jesus, Thy name my Bezer stands]

They assigned Bezer [i.e. a fortification]. —xx. 8.

Jesus, Thy name my Bezer stands,
A fort which earth and hell commands,
To trembling sinners given;
Salvation doth, as walls, surround,
And I, within these bulwarks found,
Shall mount from hence to heaven.

398. [Thee, Saviour-Prince, our souls adore]

They assigned Ramoth [i.e. high, exalted]. —xx. 8.

Thee, Saviour-Prince, our souls adore,
Exalted by almighty power
To succour and forgive!
We now are to our city come,
And by Thy death returning home,
We soon in heaven shall live.

399. [Who to Thy wounds for refuge flee]

They assigned Golan [i.e. joy, exultation]. —xx. 8.

Who to Thy wounds for refuge flee,
Pardon'd we glory, Lord, in Thee,
With ecstasies unknown,
Fulness of joy in Thee possess,
And lodged within Thine arms confess
That Thou and heaven are one.

130

400. [Subscribing to Jehovah's word]

One of you shall chase a thousand. —xxiii. 10.

Subscribing to Jehovah's word
The feeblest Israelite,
Led on by his almighty Lord,
Shall put an host to flight:
By faith the promise I receive
From age to age the same,
And conqueror of the world I live,
Who trust in Jesu's name.

401. [Pass a few swiftly-fleeting years]

I am going the way of all the earth. —xxiii. 14.

Pass a few swiftly-fleeting years,
And all that now in bodies live,
Shall quit, like me, the vale of tears,
Their righteous sentence to receive:
But all, before they hence remove,
May mansions for themselves prepare
In that eternal house above:
And O! my God, shall I be there!

402. [Jesus, Thy perfect love reveal]

You know in all your hearts, &c. —xxiii. 14.

Jesus, Thy perfect love reveal,
My Alpha and Omega be,
And I Thy blessèd words shall feel,
And witness them fulfill'd in me:
“Nothing hath fail'd of all the good,
My Saviour hath perform'd the whole,
I know it in my heart renew'd,
I know it in my sinless soul!”

403. [Lord, that I may truly fear]

Fear the Lord, and serve Him in sincerity, &c. —xxiv. 14.

Lord, that I may truly fear,
Serve Thee with an heart sincere,
Me with legal awe inspire,
Give the thing Thou dost require:

131

But that I may worship Thee
With the best sincerity,
Sin by holiness remove,
Servile fear by perfect love.

404. [Willing made my God to' obey]

Put away the gods which your fathers served, &c. —xxiv. 14.

Willing made my God to' obey,
Now I put my sins away,
Now with every idol part,
Serve Thee with my life and heart:
But that I may serve aright,
Let me in Thy will delight,
Serve a Father reconciled,
Serve as Thy beloved child.

405. [Trusting in the strength Divine]

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. —xxiv. 15.

Trusting in the strength Divine
I vow to serve the Lord,
Christ shall be by me and mine
Acknowledged and adored:
Jesus, to my house and me
Now let Thy salvation come,
Now prepare our hearts to be
Thine everlasting home.

JUDGES.

406. [A pleasant heritage is mine]

Give me a blessing, for thou hast given me, &c. —i. 15.

A pleasant heritage is mine,
In a fair land and good;
I ask'd and gain'd the gift Divine,
For Jesus' sake bestow'd.
Father, Thou hast my sins pass'd by,
To me a pardon given,
And conscious of Thy favour, I
Enjoy the smiles of heaven.

132

Yet still I humbly sue for more,
A larger benefit;
A second blessing I implore,
To make the first complete;
In all His fulness from above,
The Comforter impart,
And let the well of life and love
Spring up within my heart.

Thy presence, Lord, the fountain brings
Of purest holiness,
The upper and the nether springs,
The heights and depths of grace:
O might I into nothing sink,
Before the God unknown;
And rise the crystal stream to drink,
Which gushes from Thy throne.

407. [Refusing with our sin to part]

Therefore the Lord left those nations. —ii. 23.

Refusing with our sin to part,
If still we hug it in our heart,
Though infinite in grace
God will not utterly expel,
But leave it in our flesh to dwell,
And plague us all our days.

408. [Jesus, Thine efficacious word]

I have a message from God unto thee. —iii. 20.

Jesus, Thine efficacious word
(If Thou with the deliverer art)
Comes, as a message from the Lord,
A dagger to the faithless heart:
But when it hath the sinner slain,
It brings the dead to life again.

133

409. [The malice of Thy church's foes]

They fought from heaven. —v. 20.

The malice of Thy church's foes
In every age we see,
For who Thy people dare oppose
Are fighting found with Thee:
Before Thy face, as chaff they fail,
Before the whirlwind driven:
For how should worms of earth prevail
Against the Lord from heaven?

410. [Who musters the celestial host]

The stars in their courses fought against Sisera. —v. 20.

Who musters the celestial host,
He sets them in array,
To blast the persecutor's boast,
And give His church the day:
The stars upon our foes in fight
Their baleful influence shed,
The lightnings wither all their might,
And strike opposers dead.

411. [I have oft victorious been]

O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength. —v. 21.

I have oft victorious been
Through the Invincible,
Trampled down the strength of sin,
The powers of earth and hell:
Still on all my foes I tread,
Till He, who hath my sins subdued,
Root out every evil seed,
And fill my soul with God.

412. [Jesus, let all Thy lovers shine]

Let them that love Him be as the sun, &c. —v. 31.

Jesus, let all Thy lovers shine
Illustrious as the sun,
And bright with borrow'd rays Divine
Their glorious circuit run,

134

Beyond the reach of mortals, spread
Their light, where'er they go,
And heavenly influences shed
On all the world below.

As giants may they run their race,
Exulting in their might,
As burning luminaries chase
The gloom of hellish night,
As the great Sun of Righteousness
Their healing wings display;
And let their lustre still increase
Unto the perfect day.

Such honour all Thy saints receive,
Who Thee sincerely love;
Dispensers of Thy gifts we live,
And general blessings prove;
And when our useful course is run,
Enjoy the kingdom given,
Bright as the uncreated Sun
In the eternal heaven.

413. [Great Angel of the Lord most high]

The Lord looked upon him and said, &c. —vi. 14.

Great Angel of the Lord most high,
I wait the influence of Thine eye!
Thy weak, expecting servant see,
And cast the gracious look on me,
The look that may Thy virtue dart,
Thy life and love into my heart,
My strength renew, my mission seal,
And all the mind of God reveal!

135

414. [Will ye plead for sinning on]

Will ye plead for Baal? —vi. 31.

Will ye plead for sinning on,
For Satan's service plead?
Rather throw his altar down,
And on his worship tread:
Us that he may never more
As advocates for sin employ,
Jesus, come, o'erturn his power,
And all his works destroy.

415. [Too strong I was to conquer sin]

The people are too many for me to give, &c. —vii. 2.

Too strong I was to conquer sin,
When 'gainst it first I turn'd my face,
Nor knew my want of power within,
Nor knew the' omnipotence of grace.
In nature's strength I fought in vain,
For, what my God refused to give,
I could not then the mastery gain,
Or lord of all my passions live.

But, for the glory of Thy name
Vouchsafe me now the victory;
Weakness itself, Thou know'st, I am,
And cannot share the praise with Thee:
Because I now can nothing do,
Jesus, do all the work alone,
And bring my soul triumphant through,
To wave its palm before Thy throne.

416. [What power against a worm can stand]

The sword of the Lord and of Gideon. —vii. 18.

What power against a worm can stand
Arm'd with Jehovah's sword?
And all who bow to Christ's command
Are champions of the Lord!

136

Arm'd with His word and Spirit's might
We shall the battle gain,
And sin, that tempting Midianite,
Shall be for ever slain.

417. [Often faint, yet still pursuing]

Faint, yet pursuing. —viii. 4.

Often faint, yet still pursuing,
On, like Gideon's men, I go,
Satan and the world subduing,
Pride, and self, and every foe;
Wrestle on in prayer unceasing,
Till I see the last destroy'd,
Bless'd with all the victor's blessing,
Crown'd with all the life of God.

418. [Again to Satan's yoke I bow]

Ye have forsaken Me, and served other gods, &c. —x. 13.

Again to Satan's yoke I bow;
But mercy I implore:
Ah! do not in Thine anger vow
To save my soul no more!
Or if the word Thy lips hath pass'd,
And for Thy loss I mourn,
Thou wilt, O God, repent at last,
Thou wilt again return.

419. [Lord, I have sinn'd, but now relent]

We have sinned, do Thou unto us whatsoever, &c. —x. 15.

Lord, I have sinn'd, but now relent,
And groan beneath my guilt;
Humbly accept my punishment,
Do with me what Thou wilt:
For this, and only this I pray,
From all my sins release,
And save throughout my evil day,
And bid me die in peace.

137

420. [Father, though late, I turn to Thee]

They put away the strange gods, and served, &c. —x. 16.

Father, though late, I turn to Thee,
With all my idols part;
O let my helpless misery
Affect Thy pitying heart!
Grieved at Thine ancient people's woe,
Be grieved again at mine,
And force my sins to let me go,
Redeem'd by blood Divine.

421. [The beast that meets him shall be slain]

Whatsoever cometh to meet me, shall surely be, &c. —xi. 31.

The beast that meets him shall be slain;
Resign'd to God the child of man,
A living sacrifice, restored
Entire, devoted to the Lord:
The Lord, he knows, so kind and good,
Hath no delight in human blood,
Or pleased accepts of One alone,
That offering of His slaughter'd Son.

422. [His hands he wash'd not in her blood]

He did with her according to his vow, &c. —xi. 39.

His hands he wash'd not in her blood,
But gave his child, his hope, to God,
(Hope of a long-continued line,
Hope of the promised Seed Divine,)
His heart's delight, his age's prop,
His only child he render'd up,
An offering worthy of the sky,
A virgin pure to live and die.

423. [Who for their unborn children care]

Teach us what we shall do unto the child, &c. —xiii. 8.

Who for their unborn children care,
How happy and how wise!
They find, in answer to their prayer,
Instructions from the skies:

138

Their babes they from the birth restore
To Him who first bestow'd,
To witness His almighty power,
To fight and die for God.

424. [The child whom struggling into light]

How shall we order the child, and how, &c. —xiii. 12.

The child whom struggling into light
We soon expect to see,
How shall we order it aright,
And train it up for Thee?
A candidate for heaven to breed,
Alas, we know not how!
But show us at our greatest need,
Who seek direction now.

425. [Me, if purposed to destroy]

If the Lord were pleased to kill us, &c. —xiii. 23.

Me, if purposed to destroy
For past unfaithfulness,
Would my God vouchsafe to' employ,
And still so strangely bless?
Take, O Lord, the servant take,
Who dost the services receive,
With Thyself, for Jesu's sake,
Eternally to live.

426. [So by the Spirit of holiness]

The Philistines shouted against him, &c. —xv. 14.

So by the Spirit of holiness
Our Samson did Himself release,
Burst all the bands of death, and rose
The conqueror of His shouting foes,
To slay by means contemptible,
And triumph o'er the hosts of hell.

427. [Spirit of faith, come down on me]

Spirit of faith, come down on me,
For where Thou art is liberty,

139

Thy presence looses all my bands,
And melts the fetters from my hands,
Consumes like flax the cords of sin,
And burns up all my foes within.

428. [See the great Antitype arise]

Samson arose at midnight, and took the doors, &c. —xvi. 3.

See the great Antitype arise,
While darkness yet involves the skies,
His Israel from their foes to save,
He bursts the barriers of the grave,
Puts forth His strength invincible,
And tears up all the gates of hell!

Triumphant o'er His baffled foes,
The trophies openly He shows:
And daily, in His people's cause,
He spreads the victory of His cross,
And still He takes the spoils, and still
He bears them up the heavenly hill!

429. [Samson the strong, the weak, we blame]

When she pressed him daily with her words, &c. —xvi. 16, 17.

Samson the strong, the weak, we blame,
And all in him ourselves condemn,
Who vanquish'd by the foe within,
The importunity of sin,
Yield to our bosom-Delilah,
Yet know, she flatters to betray,
To bind our souls in slavish bands,
And give us up to Satan's hands.

430. [His strength in his obedience lay]

His strength went from him. —xvi. 19.

His strength in his obedience lay,
And when his vow he broke,
He cast the slighted gift away,
He first his God forsook,

140

Sunk into nature's helplessness,
Could neither fight, nor fly:
And such are all who fall from grace,
And such alas, am I!

431. [Weaken'd by my bosom-sin]

He wist not that the Lord was departed from him. —xvi. 20.

Weaken'd by my bosom-sin,
Have not I like Samson been,
Went a while securely on,
Wist not that the Lord was gone,
Till into their hands betray'd,
Sport of the Philistines made,
Groan'd my soul itself to feel
Left by heaven, and seized by hell!

432. [Thine own in Samson's state behold]

The Philistines took him and put out his eyes, &c. —xvi. 21.

Thine own in Samson's state behold,
Impotent wretch, by sin allured,
To Satan and his children sold,
Blinded, in brazen chains secured,
Thy loss of liberty and sight,
The wages of thy folly feel,
And groan consign'd to endless night,
The scorn of earth, and drudge of hell!

433. [Ah, woe is me, by lust enticed!]

Ah, woe is me, by lust enticed!
The Philistines their foe have found,
Dreaded of late, but now despised,
A feeble slave, in prison bound,
Ruled by my haughty tyrant's will,
Forsaken by my angry Lord,
Compell'd I grind at Satan's mill,
And serve the sins I once abhorr'd.

141

434. [His anger will the Lord retain]

Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow, &c. —xvi. 22.

His anger will the Lord retain,
A poor dark soul for ever leave?
Gall'd by my hellish master's chain,
After a pardoning God I grieve:
Mock'd by my foes, imprison'd, blind,
Of all my gracious vigour shorn;
Yet lo! a springing hope I find
That Jesus will at last return.

435. [Father of Christ, the sinner's Friend]

O Lord God, remember me, I pray Thee, &c. —xvi. 28.

Father of Christ, the sinner's Friend,
My Friend, my Advocate with Thee,
Deliverance to Thy servant send,
And oh! in death remember me!
The wretched thrall of Satan's host,
To me once more Thy Spirit give;
The strength which by my sin I lost,
O let me by Thy grace retrieve.

436. [The Lord resolved in death to save]

Samson took hold of the two pillars, &c. —xvi. 29, 30.

The Lord resolved in death to save
The vessel of His grace and power,
Pardon in a commission gave,
Inspired, and strengthen'd him once more
To deal the vengeful wrath of God,
And write his victory in blood.

437. [My God, my God, on Thee I call]

My God, my God, on Thee I call,
To bless me with an end like his;
With conquest dignify my fall,
Crown all my former victories,
Strong in Thy might at last may I
Thy champion, though in fetters, die!

142

438. [Samson the theatre o'erthrew]

Samson the theatre o'erthrew,
And thousands at his death he slew:
But lo! our Samson from the skies
A more triumphant conqueror dies,
A nobler victory obtains,
And heaven for all His Israel gains.

He by the pangs of death oppress'd
With outstretch'd hands the pillars seized,
Compass'd with foes He bow'd His head,
For mercy, not for vengeance, pray'd,
And groan'd His last expiring groan,
And pull'd the' infernal kingdom down.

The author dire of sin and death
He slew by yielding up His breath,
The powers of darkness He destroy'd,
And made their hellish boastings void,
Died with the Philistines—but rose
Triumphant o'er His slaughter'd foes.

RUTH.

439. [A poor afflicted sojourner]

The woman was left of her two sons, &c. —i. 5, 6.

A poor afflicted sojourner
I see the meaning of Thy love;
It strips me of my comforts here,
To mind me of the joys above:
I answer to the call Divine,
After my old companions come,
And for that better country pine,
And hasten to my heavenly home.

143

440. [Plenty is from, and with, the Lord]

The Lord visited His people in giving them bread. —i. 6.

Plenty is from, and with, the Lord:
His presence doth the staff afford
Which must our life sustain,
He comes to cheer us in the bread;
On Him our hungry spirits feed,
And all His fulness gain.

441. [Gone out against my body, Lord]

The hand of the Lord is gone out against me. —i. 13.

Gone out against my body, Lord,
Thy chastening hand I feel in pain,
That wounded by Thy Spirit's sword
My soul might perfect health obtain;
Thy hand is contrary to me,
That I may all be lost in Thee.

442. [The souls that Israel leave]

Thy sister is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods. —i. 15.

The souls that Israel leave
Will Israel's God forsake,
And who to Moab's people cleave
Will Moab's idols take:
Jesus, if Thou art mine,
By perfect charity
Keep me for ever one with Thine,
For ever one with Thee.

443. [Thou canst not, Lord, a beggar spurn]

Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return, &c. —i. 16.

Thou canst not, Lord, a beggar spurn
That courts Thy company,
Wherefore I never will return
From following after Thee;

144

Resolved, where'er Thou goest, I go,
In all Thy footsteps tread,
And glad like Thee to want below
A place to lay my head.

444. [Thy people by the world abhorr'd]

Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. —i. 16.

Thy people by the world abhorr'd
I for my people take,
And serve the servants of my Lord,
For their dear Master's sake:
Appeased and reconciled to me,
Through Thine atoning blood,
Thy Father and Thy God shall be
My Father and my God.

445. [Determined after Thee I bear]

Where thou diest will I die, and there will I be buried. —i. 17.

Determined after Thee I bear
My cross to Calvary,
And come Thy bitterest cup to share,
And with my Saviour die:
The place where once Thy body lay,
The place it did perfume,
There will I drop my breathless clay,
And rest within Thy tomb.

446. [If now Thou dwellest in my heart]

The Lord do so to me, and more also, &c. —i. 17.

If now Thou dwellest in my heart,
And I in Thee abide,
Nor life, nor death itself shall part
Or tear me from Thy side:
What sets me from my prison free
In closer bonds shall join
This disembodied soul to Thee,
Through endless ages mine.

145

447. [Taught as by thorns and briars, we know]

The Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. —i. 20.

Taught as by thorns and briars, we know
Thy wisely tender love
Embitters all the joys below,
To' endear the joys above.

448. [I went out full of youthful hope]

I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me, &c. —i. 21.

I went out full of youthful hope,
But empty I return,
My sanguine confidence give up,
My blasted comforts mourn:
A few more days of sad distress
I travel towards a tomb;
But trust to reach in final peace
Mine everlasting home.

449. [Casual howe'er our steps may seem]

Her hap was to light on a part of the field, &c. —ii. 3.

Casual howe'er our steps may seem,
Directed and o'erruled by Him
Who for His people cares,
Where Providence appoints we go;
He orders all our ways we know,
And numbers all our hairs.

In small events we daily prove
The wisdom of our Father's love;
We own the work is His
From trivial incidents to raise
Matter for His eternal praise,
And our eternal bliss.

450. [By Boaz, yet divinely, taught]

Boaz said unto the reapers, The Lord be with you. —ii. 4.

By Boaz, yet divinely, taught,
Father, we for our servants pray,
Let all their works in Thee be wrought,
Thee let them still in us obey,

146

And find, partakers of the Lord,
In life and death their full reward.

451. [Under the yoke, O God, to Thee]

They answered him, The Lord bless thee! —ii. 4.

Under the yoke, O God, to Thee
We humbly for our betters cry,
Bless them with true felicity,
With showers of blessings from the sky,
Thy grace be to our masters given;
Our lords on earth be kings in heaven!

452. [Religion pure rejects the dress]

She bowed herself to the ground. —ii. 10.

Religion pure rejects the dress
Of rude illiberal clownishness,
Nor calls it sinful courtesy
To' incline the head, or bow the knee;
Well-taught by her, respect we show,
And honour give where'er 'tis due,
But gladly pay to true desert
The humblest homage of the heart.

453. [I too have left my worldly home]

A full reward be given thee of the Lord, &c. —ii. 12.

I too have left my worldly home,
My old idolatry,
And to Thy people join'd, am come
To put my trust in Thee:
In Thee I seek my full reward
With all Thy saints above:
But tell me now, Thou art my Lord,
And bless me with Thy love.

454. [At evening to myself I say]

Where hast thou gleaned to-day? —ii. 19.

At evening to myself I say,
My soul, where hast thou glean'd to-day,
Thy labours how bestow'd?

147

What hast thou rightly said, or done?
What grace attain'd, or knowledge won,
In following after God?

455. [Jesus, we claim Thee for our own]

Thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, &c. —iii. 4.

Jesus, we claim Thee for our own,
Our Kinsman near allied in blood,
Flesh of our flesh, bone of our bone,
The son of man, the Son of God,
And lo, we lay us at Thy feet,
Our sentence from Thy mouth to meet.

456. [Partaker of my flesh below]

Spread thy skirt over thine handmaid, &c. —iii. 9.

Partaker of my flesh below,
To Thee, O Jesus, I apply;
Thou wilt Thy poor relations know,
Thou never canst Thyself deny,
Exclude me from Thy guardian care,
Or slight a sinful beggar's prayer.

Thee, Saviour, at my greatest need
I trust my faithful friend to prove:
Now o'er Thy meanest servant spread
The skirt of Thy redeeming love,
Under Thy wings of mercy take,
And save me for Thy nature's sake.

Hast Thou not undertook my cause,
Lord over all, to worms allied?
Answer me from that bleeding cross,
Demand Thy dearly-ransom'd bride,
And let my soul, betroth'd to Thee,
Thine wholly, Thine for ever be!

457. [O Jesus, full of richest grace]

I have bought all that was Elimelech's, &c. —iv. 9, 10.

O Jesus, full of richest grace,
In pity to our fallen race,

148

Thou didst at infinite expense
Redeem our lost inheritance,
Thine own inheritance forego,
A poor afflicted man below,
For us procure with all Thy blood
The God of heaven, and heaven of God.

Strangers, and foreigners we were,
Who now Thy purchased people are,
Forlorn, abandon'd, and despised,
Yet by our great Redeemer prized:
Patron of friendless poverty,
The widow now betroth'd to Thee,
Thy church, with heavenly gifts endow'd,
Is made the glorious spouse of God.

Our dead in sin and buried race
Thy brethren, Lord, Thou dost confess,
Nor suffer'st that our name should be
Cut off to all eternity:
Thy nature with our nature join'd
Preserves the half-extinguish'd kind;
Jesus, Thy name to mortals given,
Exalts both ours, and us, to heaven.

I. SAMUEL.

458. [O take this plague away!]

She was in bitterness of soul, and prayed. —i. 10.

O take this plague away!
Afflicted by my God,
In bitterness of soul I pray,
O lay aside the rod!

149

Or if Thou still reprove,
Let my extreme distress
Bring forth at last the fruit of love,
And perfect righteousness.

459. [Beneath a mountain-load of grief]

Her countenance was no more sad. —i. 18.

Beneath a mountain-load of grief,
Subdued, submissive, and resign'd,
I find in prayer my sure relief,
Returning peace with Christ I find:
Soon as on Him I cast my care,
My care doth all at once depart,
My visage can no more declare
The sadness of a broken heart.

460. [Not like the mothers in our day]

The woman gave her son suck, until she weaned him. —i. 23.

Not like the mothers in our day,
Who of all care themselves divest,
And thrust their new-born babes away,
And hang them on another's breast.

461. [Whate'er I ask, I surely know]

For this child I prayed; and the Lord, &c. —i. 27.

Whate'er I ask, I surely know,
And steadfastly believe,
Thou wilt the thing desired bestow,
Or else a better give;
To Thee I therefore, Lord, submit
My every fond request,
And own, adoring at Thy feet,
Thy will is always best.

462. [Since what I lend or give to Thee]

I have lent him to the Lord, as long as he liveth. —i. 28.

Since what I lend or give to Thee,
Was first Thy precious gift to me,

150

In this irrevocable loan,
Father, I render Thee Thine own;
Assured Thou wilt in life's short day
My loan an hundred-fold repay,
And crown me, when Thy Son comes down,
With glorious life's eternal crown.

463. [Holy as Thee, O Lord, is none]

There is none holy as the Lord. —ii. 2.

Holy as Thee, O Lord, is none;
Thy holiness is all Thine own,
A drop of that unbounded sea
Is ours, a drop derived from Thee:
And when Thy purity we share,
Thine only glory we declare,
And humbled into nothing, own
Holy and pure is God alone.

464. [Sole, self-existing God and Lord]

There is none beside Thee: neither is there any, &c. —ii. 2.

Sole, self-existing God and Lord,
By all Thy heavenly hosts adored,
Let all on earth bow down to Thee,
And bless Thy peerless majesty,
Thy power unparallel'd confess,
Establish'd on the Rock of peace,
The Rock that never shall remove,
The Rock of pure almighty love.

465. [What man or angel can explore]

The Lord is a God of knowledge, &c. —ii. 3.

What man or angel can explore
Thy wisdom's unexhausted store,
Thy strict unerring justice trace
Which all our thoughts and actions weighs,

151

And renders every man his due;
As that decisive day shall show,
Thy providential ways explain,
Thy justice and Thy love to man.

466. [When mortal man resigns his breath]

The Lord killeth. —ii. 6.

When mortal man resigns his breath,
'Tis God directs the shafts of death,
Casual howe'er the stroke appear,
He sends the fatal messenger:
The keys are in that Hand Divine;
That Hand must first the warrant sign,
And arm the death, and wing the dart,
Which doth His message to our heart.

467. [Who first inspired the breath of lives]

The Lord killeth and maketh alive, &c. —ii. 6.

Who first inspired the breath of lives,
The living kills, the dead revives,
Brings to the margin of the grave,
And shows us there His power to save:
From hence if Thou my body raise,
I'll publish my Restorer's praise,
My life at Thy dear hands receive,
And only for Thy glory live.

468. [Great God, who dost the proud abase]

The Lord bringeth low, and lifteth up. —ii. 7.

Great God, who dost the proud abase,
And giv'st to humble souls Thy grace,
Bring down my nature's virtuous boast,
And lay mine honour in the dust;
Then answer a mere sinner's cry,
Where in the lowest deep I lie,
Then from the gates of hell bring back,
And save me for my Saviour's sake.

152

469. [Most destitute, most helpless I]

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, &c. —ii. 8.

Most destitute, most helpless I,
A beggar, at the point to die!
Sunk in the deepest poverty,
I all things want by wanting Thee!
Jesus, Thou know'st my desperate case;
Out of my own foul dunghill raise,
Lift up the poor by grace Divine,
And speak the heavenly kingdom mine.

470. [Lord, if I have with Thee found grace]

Lord, if I have with Thee found grace,
Lower and lower still abase,
Till by humility made meet
Among Thy priestly kings to sit:
Then wilt Thou lift Thy servant up
Partaker of my holiest hope,
And bid me with Thyself sit down,
A sharer of Thy brightest throne.

471. [Less than the least of saints, on me]

He will keep the feet of His saints. —ii. 9.

Less than the least of saints, on me
Thy word fulfill'd I daily see,
Kept by Thy love's almighty zeal,
Preserved from falling into hell:
And still I trust Thy faithful grace
To' uphold my goings in Thy ways,
Till walking with my God, I see
The glorious place prepared for me.

472. [Not all the powers of earth and hell]

By strength shall no man prevail, &c. —ii. 9, 10.

Not all the powers of earth and hell
Shall against Jesu's church prevail,
Who bruises with His iron rod
The world, and their infernal god;

153

The stubborn He in pieces breaks,
But peace to prostrate rebels speaks,
And stretches o'er the faithful race
The golden sceptre of His grace.

473. [All power, O God, in earth and heaven]

The Lord shall judge the ends of the earth, &c. —ii. 10.

All power, O God, in earth and heaven
Thou hast to Thy Messias given,
And bade the' almighty Son of man
At Thy right hand in glory reign:
Our Saviour-Prince shall thence descend,
His sway from east to west extend,
And reign o'er all the earth alone,
Triumphant on the great white throne.

474. [The fruit of your indulgence see]

Nay my sons: for it is no good report that I hear. —ii. 24.

The fruit of your indulgence see,
Whoe'er in Eli's footsteps tread,
Ye curse your fondled progeny,
Ye pull destruction on their head;
The wrath of an almighty Lord,
Your lenity's effect, they feel:
It fattens for the slaughtering sword,
It softly lets them down to hell.

475. [Holy Child, our children take]

The child Samuel grew on, and was in favour, &c. —ii. 26.

Holy Child, our children take
With Thyself on us bestow'd,
Partners of Thy nature make,
Bless, and bring them up for God,
Give them in Thy grace to grow,
Favourites of the Deity,
Favourites of Thy saints below,
Perfectly conform'd to Thee.

154

476. [Of my extreme distresses]

It is the Lord: let Him do what seemeth Him good. —iii. 18.

Of my extreme distresses
The author is the Lord:
Whate'er His wisdom pleases,
His name be still adored!
If still He prove my patience,
And to the utmost prove,
Yet all His dispensations
Are faithfulness, and love.

477. [“Israel before their foes are fled!”]

When he made mention of the ark of God, &c. —iv. 18.

“Israel before their foes are fled!”
Composed the tidings he receives:
“Whole troops; and both thy sons are dead!”
He hears the fatal news, and lives:
“The ark is taken by the foe,
And God doth with His ark depart!”
This, this inflicts the mortal blow,
And breaks his trembling, faithful heart.

478. [Great is the truth, and must prevail]

Dagon was fallen upon his face before the ark. —v. 3.

Great is the truth, and must prevail
O'er error, and the gates of hell,
While Dagon, tumbled from his shrine,
Bows down before the ark Divine,
And Satan's kingdom falls before
Our Prince whom earth and heaven adore.

479. [Idols may triumph for an hour]

Idols may triumph for an hour,
But vanquish'd by almighty power
They to the living God shall bow:
And Dagon stoops to Jesus now;
And till an end of sin I see,
Corruption bows to grace—in me.

155

480. [Who can Thy strict tribunal face]

Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God? —vi. 20.

Who can Thy strict tribunal face,
Or stand before the' Almighty's frown,
Approach Thee in Thy brightest place,
Look full upon Thy glorious throne!
God inaccessible Thou art;
Yet who by faith Thy Son receive,
Perfect in love, and pure in heart,
They here shall see Thy face, and live.

481. [Touch'd from above with sacred woe]

All the house of Israel lamented after the Lord. —vii. 2.

Touch'd from above with sacred woe
O that we might incessant mourn,
After the Lord lamenting go,
Till Jesus, the true Ark, return!
The contrite heart, the grief sincere,
Jesus, to all our Israel give,
And then display Thy presence here,
And in Thy saints for ever live.

482. [An Advocate in heaven we have]

Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us, &c. —vii. 8.

An Advocate in heaven we have,
Who pleads for Israel's faithful race,
And God shall to the utmost save
The souls for whom our Prophet prays:
From sin, the world, and Satan's powers
He now doth to our rescue come,
And when the greedy tomb devours,
Redeems us from the greedy tomb.

483. [Sinners, behold the sacred flame]

Samuel offered a lamb, and cried unto the Lord, &c. —vii. 9.

Sinners, behold the sacred flame
Ascending from the slaughter'd Lamb,
The Lamb of God for Israel given,
Who offers up Himself to heaven;

156

Mix'd with the smoke His prayers arise,
And God accepts the sacrifice.

484. [Father, Thou dost our Prophet hear]

As Samuel was offering up the burnt-offering, &c. —vii. 10.

Father, Thou dost our Prophet hear,
While now the Philistines draw near;
The offering, which for us He pleads,
Brings down Thy blessing on our heads,
Brings down Thy thunder on our foes,
And all the hellish host o'erthrows.

485. [Kept by constant miracle]

Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. —vii. 12.

Kept by constant miracle,
And succour'd hitherto,
Jesus, I set to my seal
That Thou art good and true,
Trust Thou never wilt depart,
And glad my monument to raise,
Thank Thee with a loving heart,
And with a life of praise.

486. [Thy call, O God, to man conveys]

God gave him another heart. —x. 9.

Thy call, O God, to man conveys
Sufficiency of gifts and grace:
Wherefore to me Thy Spirit impart,
And bless me with a pastor's heart;
The servant of Thy people I
Shall then rejoice to live and die.

487. [Yes; if the Lord His mind reveal]

Is Saul also among the prophets? —x. 12.

Yes; if the Lord His mind reveal,
E'en to the meanest of the throng:
Their Father sends by whom He will,
And teaches babes the gospel song;

157

Not to the prophets' schools confined,
He gives to the unlearn'd His word;
And lo, they now declare His mind,
And husbandmen proclaim their Lord!

488. [The good in man is not his own]

There went with Saul a band of men, &c. —x. 26.

The good in man is not his own,
But freely flows from grace alone,
If to the right our hearts incline,
They own a secret touch Divine;
And Britain's boasted loyalty,
O King of kings, is all from Thee.

489. [Pierced with the true religious fear]

The fear of the Lord fell on the people, &c. —xi. 7.

Pierced with the true religious fear,
We must our king and country love,
Their interests serve with heart sincere,
And swift to their assistance move:
Let all the people of this land
Thus, Lord, to Thee their homage show,
And, duteous to Thy dread command,
Revere Thy delegate below.

490. [Vilest of the sinful race]

Ye have done all this wickedness, yet turn not, &c. —xii. 20.

Vilest of the sinful race,
Plunged in desperate wickedness,
Shall I let my Saviour go?
No: His bowels answer No!
After all that I have done,
Still He bids me follow on,
Till I know the God who died,
Till I find Him—pacified.

491. [If mercies without end could move]

Only fear the Lord, and serve Him, &c. —xii. 24.

If mercies without end could move
So base, so hard an heart as mine,

158

Its whole capacity of love
Had surely long ago been Thine:
Lord, for Thine endless mercies' sake,
My stubborn misery relieve,
And to Thyself this moment take
The heart which I can never give.

492. [What lost the king his regal power?]

Now would the Lord have established, &c. —xiii. 13, 14.

What lost the king his regal power?
The want of patience for an hour:
And who for Christ refuse to stay,
With patience cast their souls away,
The cross they hastily lay down,
And forfeit an immortal crown.

493. [After we have endured a while]

After we have endured a while,
The Lord rewards our patient toil,
Establishes our hearts with grace,
And perfects us in holiness;
But if impatiently we rise
To offer sinless sacrifice,
The power we shall not long maintain,
Or kings without our Saviour reign.

How? J.W.

494. [How fond the self-deceiver's hope]

Saul spared Agag. —xv. 9.

How fond the self-deceiver's hope,
By partial righteousness,
By giving grosser evils up
An holy God to please!
Our vulgar sins we slay in vain,
And every lust beside,
If still we suffer self to reign,
Or spare the life of pride.

159

495. [How shall we offer to the skies]

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice. —xv. 22.

How shall we offer to the skies
That better, more, than sacrifice?
Jesus, with heavenly wisdom bless,
And teach us how Thyself to please:
O work in me to will and do;
Spiritual adoration true
In perfect love I then shall pay,
And Thee with all my heart obey.

496. [Sinner, alarm'd by judgment near]

Surely the bitterness of death is past. —xv. 32.

Sinner, alarm'd by judgment near,
Who fold'st thine arms for sleep again,
As far from death's superfluous fear
And hell's imaginary pain,
No more with harden'd heart presume,
But tremble at thine instant doom.

In pride and delicacy bred,
Secure of a long length of days,
Justice Divine will strike thee dead;
And when thou goest to thy own place,
That bitterness is never o'er,
That death shall last for evermore.

But all who Jesus' spirit breathe,
By faith on Jesus' passion cast,
With them the bitterness of death,
The bitterness of life, is pass'd;
And O! for ever happy, I,
With these indulged to live and die.

497. ['gainst the man of sin in me]

Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord. —xv. 33.

'gainst the man of sin in me,
O Lord, Thine arm make bare,
End his life and tyranny
Whom I reserve and spare:

160

Agag is the reigning lust;
O let him feel Thy Spirit's sword,
Sacrificed to God the just,
Devoted to the Lord.

498. [Music, as first by heaven design'd]

When the evil spirit was upon Saul, David, &c. —xvi. 23.

Music, as first by heaven design'd
To calm the tumult of the mind,
Relieves us by its sacred aid,
As Saul was well when David play'd:
But if it takes the tempter's part,
And softly steals from God the heart,
It chases the good Spirit away,
And courts the evil one to stay.

499. [Mindful of my rescues pass'd]

The Lord that delivered me out of the paw, &c. —xvii. 37.

Mindful of my rescues pass'd,
When sin and hell were near,
Lord, on Thee my soul I cast,
And no Goliath fear;
Thou, in whom I put my trust,
Wilt still Thy guardian power display,
Save from every giant-lust,
And keep me to that day.

500. [Our Prince and Friend enthroned above]

Jonathan stripped himself of the robe, &c. —xviii. 4.

Our Prince and Friend enthroned above
Did thus His zeal for man express,
He stripp'd Himself of all but love,
To clothe us with His righteousness:
Kinder than Jonathan, He wore
The rags of our humanity,
Self-emptied, sorrowful, and poor,
That all my God might dwell in me.

161

501. [Thanks to my redeeming Lord!]

There is but a step between me and death. —xx. 3.

Thanks to my redeeming Lord!
Late by Thee to sight restored,
Life itself I plainly see
One short step 'twixt death and me:
While this one short step I take,
Keep me for Thy mercy's sake;
Furnish'd then with wings to fly,
Bear me, Saviour, to the sky.

502. [Fly, sinners, fly to David's Son]

Every one that was in distress, and every one, &c. —xxii. 2.

Fly, sinners, fly to David's Son,
Distress'd, indebted, and undone,
Him for your Captain choose,
Let Him your ruin'd cause maintain;
The worst, and most forlorn of men
He never will refuse.

If such Thou wilt indeed receive,
Captain, to Thee my name I give,
The poorest outcast I;
And joining now the desperate band,
And subjected to Thy command,
With Thee I live and die.

503. [In want and murmuring distress]

In want and murmuring distress,
In debt to sovereign righteousness,
A wretched, desperate outcast, I
To David for protection fly.

Jesus, the Antitype Thou art,
The David after God's own heart,
Commander of the helpless band,
Enlist me under Thy command.

162

Assure me, Thou my debt hast paid,
Hast for my sins atonement made,
And on Thyself my burden take,
And save me for Thy mercy's sake.

Captain of my salvation, show
Thy strength against my threefold foe,
And, sure of final victory,
In life and death, I follow Thee.

504. [O may I thus confirm my friend]

He strengthened his hand in God. —xxiii. 16.

O may I thus confirm my friend,
And teach on Jesus to depend,
On Jesus turn his heart and eye
Who only doth our wants supply,
And makes His strength in weakness known,
And all our works effects alone.

505. [So oft preserved in perils pass'd]

David said in his heart, I shall now perish, &c. —xxvii. 1.

So oft preserved in perils pass'd,
Why should I despond at last,
And cast my faith away?
I cannot help this abject fear,
For still the hellish Saul is near
My hunted soul to slay.

Thou seest my feebleness of heart;
Do not, do not, Lord, depart
In life's extremity;
But stand another hour between,
Another hour my weakness screen,
And take my soul to Thee.

506. [No wily fiend, by magic spell]

Saul perceived that it was Samuel. —xxviii. 14.

No wily fiend, by magic spell
Evoked from his infernal cell,
To personate the prophet true,
But Samuel's self appears in view;

163

To make the prostrate king relent,
Humbly accept his punishment,
To warn him of his instant doom,
But not denounce the wrath to come.

507. [What do these solemn words portend?]

To-morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me. —xxviii. 19.

What do these solemn words portend?
A gleam of hope when life shall end:
“Thou and thy sons, though slain, shall be
To-morrow, in repose with me!”
Not in a state of hellish pain,
If Saul with Samuel doth remain,
Not in a state of damn'd despair,
If loving Jonathan is there!

508. [Let earth and hell their powers engage]

The people spake of stoning him: but David, &c. —xxx. 6.

Let earth and hell their powers engage,
And fierce temptations rise,
Above their impotence of rage
My soul to Jesus flies:
Louder than all their threats I hear
The voice of Love Divine,
Nor can I faint nor can I fear,
Who know that God is mine.

II. SAMUEL.

509. [For evil may I good return]

David lamented over Saul. —i. 17.

For evil may I good return,
Kindness for bitter hatred show,
With pious grief sincerely mourn
The fall of my relentless foe,

164

His faults with tenderest love conceal,
His shining qualities commend,
And cordial consolation feel
In hope—that hope was in his end.

510. [May I not feel my comfort fled]

I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan, &c. —i. 26.

May I not feel my comfort fled,
When lovely Jonathan is dead?
God unprovoked my sorrow sees,
Jesus allows the soft distress:
Hence o'er the pleasing past I rove,
Recall the wonders of his love,
And till my life of mourning end,
Lament for a departed friend!

511. [Let the house of Saul give place]

David waxed stronger and stronger, &c. —iii. 1.

Let the house of Saul give place,
And David grow in power,
Nature yield, and stronger grace
Wax stronger every hour,
Grace prevail, till sin depart:
Come, Lord, and rule the land alone,
Come, and 'stablish in my heart
Thine everlasting throne.

512. [A voice is in his blood!]

God smote Uzzah. —vi. 7.

A voice is in his blood!
Smote for the rash offence,
He warns us to rejoice in God
With deepest reverence,
And trembling at the sign
Of our Creator near,
To treat the holy things Divine
With wise and holy fear!

165

513. [With forward zeal well meant]

With forward zeal well meant
I oft have evil done,
But could not by a good intent
For a bad act atone:
Yet still my gracious Lord
Hath suffer'd me to live,
And all my sins in deed, and word,
And thought, He doth forgive.

514. [Behold your due in Uzzah dead]

Behold your due in Uzzah dead
For touching an external sign,
You that the priestly right invade,
And minister in things Divine!
Will ignorance your bodies save?
Inquire of Uzzah in his grave.

“But lo! unless our hands sustain,
The tottering ark will strike the ground!”
God cannot need the help of man:
A thousand ways with God are found
His church in danger to defend,
And bear her up, till time shall end.

515. [Unauthorised by right Divine]

Unauthorised by right Divine
Dost thou not on the word lay hold,
Who claim'st the promises for thine
With ignorance profanely bold,
But dost not with the terms comply?
Forbear to touch the ark—or die!

516. [So sacred if the symbol be]

So sacred if the symbol be,
What the true living Ark of God!
And O! how sore the penalty
For trampling on the covenant-blood

166

Familiarized by common sounds:
Wounds, wounds, and nothing else but wounds!

517. [If but one Christian soul appear]

The Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household. —vi. 11.

If but one Christian soul appear
Beneath my roof, the Ark is here:
Jesus, the real Ark Thou art,
Set up in every faithful heart!
And where Thy Godhead doth reside,
Mercy and grace are multiplied,
Fulness of gospel-blessings flow,
And make a little heaven below.

518. [He laid his purple robes aside]

David danced before the Lord with all his might. —vi. 14.

He laid his purple robes aside,
Nor shame, nor diminution fear'd,
Put off the pomp of regal pride,
And servant of the ark appear'd;
In holy services Divine
That we might all our strength employ,
Might body, soul, and spirit join,
And dance before the Lord for joy.

519. [Perhaps she thought, religion's law]

Michal despised him in her heart. —vi. 16.

Perhaps she thought, religion's law
Might keep the vulgar herd in awe,
But shall so great a man as he
Forget his royal dignity?
Shall David do so mean a thing,
The soldier, statesman, and the king
Lead up the superstitious crowd,
And play, and leap, and dance—for God!

520. [Glorious indeed (though fools despise)]

Michal said, How glorious was the king, &c. —vi. 20, 21.

Glorious indeed (though fools despise)
In God's account and wisdom's eyes,

167

The great, who lay their greatness by,
In presence of the Lord most high,
Nor man regard, if God approve
The' expressions of their warmest love!

521. [Let heathen scorn and vilify]

I will yet be more vile. —vi. 22.

Let heathen scorn and vilify
The zealous servants of the Lord,
More zealous, more determined I
Hold fast the faith, and keep the word,
Bolder confess my Saviour's name,
And triumph in the glorious shame.

522. [Great in the field of battle, great]

I will be base in mine own sight. —vi. 22.

Great in the field of battle, great
The monarch on his judgment-seat
His dread authority maintains,
And conscious of his grandeur reigns:
But before Him who rules the skies,
Humbled as in the dust he lies,
Dares, in the meanest services,
The least of all himself confess.

523. [Come, Thou heavenly Solomon]

He shall build an house for My name. —vii. 13.

Come, Thou heavenly Solomon,
Thou Prince of life and peace,
David's, God's eternal Son,
Who hast the promises,
Thine it is Thy house to build,
To consecrate the human shrine,
With the name, the nature fill'd,
The holiness Divine.

168

524. [Son of God's eternal love]

I will stablish the throne of His kingdom for ever. —vii. 13.

Son of God's eternal love,
In glorious state descend,
Bring Thy kingdom from above,
That Satan's power may end;
Universal Monarch reign,
And put the worldly kingdoms down,
Fix in every heart of man
Thine everlasting throne.

525. [Is this the man to God so dear]

David sent, and took Bathsheba. —xi. 4.

Is this the man to God so dear,
So just, and after His own heart!
O what are saints, the most sincere,
The strongest, if their Lord depart!
Left to ourselves one moment, we
Into the foulest crimes should fall,
And thus our helplessness we see,
And feel that Christ is all in all!

526. [O tell it not in Gath, nor spread]

David wrote, Set ye Uriah in the forefront, &c. —xi. 15.

O tell it not in Gath, nor spread
Through Askelon the direful deed,
Lest harden'd infidels in ill
Rejoice, and grow more harden'd still!
Alas, the record of his crimes
Preserved through all succeeding times,
Savour of life or death must be,
And offer heaven, or hell, to me!

527. [The Lord allows of sin in none]

The thing that David had done displeased the Lord. —xi. 27.

The Lord allows of sin in none,
But most abhors it in His own:
These do His Spirit the worst despite,
These sin against the clearest light,

169

Betray the honour of His name,
Expose their Lord to open shame,
Murder afresh the Son of God,
And trample on His richest blood.

528. [Thou art the man—in David's case]

Thou art the man! —xii. 7.

Thou art the man—in David's case,
Whose careless soul is fallen from grace,
Fallen into heart-adultery!
The curse of God abides on thee;
Till with thy bosom-sin thou part,
The offering of a broken heart
Present before that gracious throne,
And plead the death of David's Son!

529. [Thou art the man—that lives secure]

Thou art the man—that lives secure
Under the guilt of sin!
Thy heart and conscience is impure,
Thy nature all unclean:
Thou art the man He calls His own
Who bought thee with His blood;
Condemn thyself, and kiss the Son,
And cry, My Lord, my God!

530. [I too have sinn'd against the Lord]

David said unto Nathan, I have sinned, &c. —xii. 13.

I too have sinn'd against the Lord,
And struck, and sentenced by Thy word,
To Thee for mercy cry;
The dreadful penalty remit,
And tell a mourner at Thy feet
Thou wilt not let me die.

531. [Vouchsafe the grace for which I pray]

Howbeit . . . the child shall die. —xii. 14.

Vouchsafe the grace for which I pray,
In mercy put my sin away,
I nothing ask beside;

170

But chasten'd by a pardoning God,
Adore Thy hand, and kiss the rod,
Though pain till death abide.

532. [Haters of God, who still blaspheme]

By this deed thou hast given great occasion, &c. —xii. 14.

Haters of God, who still blaspheme
His glorious name for David's fall,
As ye have sinn'd, repent like him,
Or judgment shall o'erwhelm you all:
From David's fall occasion take
For mercy in faint hope to cry,
Or deeper plunging in the lake,
And doubly damn'd, for ever die!

533. [For a departing friend I grieve]

While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept. —xii. 22.

For a departing friend I grieve,
Or pray, my stricken child may live;
But when Thy mind is known,
I yield, I patiently submit,
And cry, adoring at Thy feet,
Father, Thy will be done!

534. [Steadfast in faith, I rest resign'd]

I shall go to him. —xii. 23.

Steadfast in faith, I rest resign'd,
Joyful in hope my babes to find
For whom no more I grieve,
Assured I soon to them shall go,
Assured who infants died below
With God in glory live.

535. [Pure from the blood of Saul in vain]

Come out, come out, thou bloody man. —xvi. 7.

Pure from the blood of Saul in vain,
He dares not to the charge reply;
Uriah's doth the charge maintain!
Uriah's doth against him cry!

171

Let Shimei curse: the rod he hears
For sins which mercy had forgiven,
And in the wrongs of man reveres
The awful righteousness of heaven.

536. [Lord, I adore Thy righteous will]

The Lord hath said unto him, Curse David. —xvi. 10.

Lord, I adore Thy righteous will,
Through every instrument of ill
My Father's goodness see,
Accept the complicated wrong
Of Shimei's hand, and Shimei's tongue,
As kind rebukes from Thee.

537. [Full of unutterable grace]

Deal gently for my sake with the young man, &c. —xviii. 5.

Full of unutterable grace
Thus the true King of Israel prays,
That those who seek His life may live,
Father, My murderers forgive,
Deal gently with them, for My sake,
And to Thine arms the rebels take.

538. [Whene'er my Father in the skies]

Whene'er my Father in the skies
Is forced this rebel to chastise,
He makes His goodness known;
And while my feeble flesh He grieves,
A charge with the affliction gives,
“Deal gently with My son!”

539. [O that my faltering heart may smite]

David's heart smote him. —xxiv. 10.

O that my faltering heart may smite
And make me inly groan,
Whene'er I vainly take delight
In aught I call my own!

172

Harden'd by sin's deceitfulness
O may I never be,
But miss my comfort and my peace,
Whene'er I turn from Thee!

540. [He saw the one great Sacrifice]

It is enough: stay now thine hand. —xxiv. 16.

He saw the one great Sacrifice
There to be offer'd up for all,
He heard His Son's expiring cries
For mercy and forgiveness call!
Our lives, though forfeited, He spares,
For Jesus, our Atonement, died,
His blood was mingled with His prayers,
And God the just is satisfied!

541. [Thou, O Christ, our altar art]

David built there an altar unto the Lord, &c. —xxiv. 25.

Thou, O Christ, our altar art,
And Priest, and sacrifice,
Thou dost by Thy death avert
The vengeance of the skies:
Through Thy grand atonement, Lord,
We gain the pardoning grace Divine,
'Scape the cherub's flaming sword,
And live for ever Thine.

I. KINGS.

542. [The parent indolently mild]

His father had not displeased him at any time, &c. —i. 6.

The parent indolently mild
May here his fatal dotage see:
Afraid to vex thy darling child,
Thy darling child shall trouble thee,
Make his indulgent father smart,
And break thy old, fond, foolish heart.

173

“What pity 'tis, to cross his will,
His clamorous appetites deny,
Restrain the acts of childish ill,
And make the fretted infant cry,
Harshly his little faults reprove!
How can I grieve the son I love?”

Continue then thy son to please,
Leave him to nature's discipline,
Till ripe in full-grown wickedness
He claims the wages of his sin,
The wrath of heaven's impartial Lord,
The edge of the Avenger's sword.

543. [Thou bidd'st me ask whate'er I will]

God said, Ask what I shall give thee. —iii. 5.

Thou bidd'st me ask whate'er I will,
Thou wilt the thing required bestow:
I ask Thy hallowing Spirit's seal,
I ask, Thy precious Self to know,
I ask an humble, perfect heart,
With all Thou hast, and all Thou art.

544. [David's true, celestial Son]

There was neither hammer nor axe, &c. —vi. 7.

David's true, celestial Son
Carries thus His building on,
Joins the stones before prepared,
By the line and plummet squared:
Who the sure foundation lays,
He completes the work of grace,
He brings forth the crowning-stone,
Perfects all His saints in one.

545. [Lo! the house of holiness]

Lo! the house of holiness,
Founded, built, by just degrees,

174

Shows the' original design,
Speaks the Architect Divine!
Silenced by His secret power
Hurrying man is heard no more,
All the workmen's noise is still'd,
All the house with glory fill'd!

546. [Jesus, bid our hearts be still]

Jesus, bid our hearts be still,
Calmly wait Thine hallowing will,
Till brought forth in us we own
Thee the head, and corner stone:
Then the living stones cry out,
Then with one consent we shout,
God, and giver of all grace,
Take our everlasting praise!

547. [Darkness and clouds around me roll]

The Lord said, that He would dwell, &c. —viii. 12.

Darkness and clouds around me roll,
But God shall in the clouds appear,
In this thick darkness of my soul
The great Invisible is near:
He now in His pavilion dwells;
And when He doth the veil remove,
And when His glory He reveals,
My fear shall all be lost in love.

548. [Lo! the pious monarch stands]

Solomon stood before the altar, &c. —viii. 22.

Lo! the pious monarch stands,
And lifts his heart and eyes,
Spreads to heaven his praying hands,
To Him who fills the skies!
Never king appear'd so great!
Himself not half so glorious shone,
Clad in all his robes of state,
And on his ivory throne.

175

549. [See, through him, the heavenly King]

See, through him, the heavenly King
Who for His subjects prays!
Israel's Intercessor sing,
And magnify His grace,
Praise our Lord, who ever lives
To save and bless His saints forgiven,
Till He to Himself receives,
And blesses us in heaven.

550. [He did: the King invisible]

But will God indeed dwell on the earth? —viii. 27.

He did: the King invisible,
Jehovah, once on earth did dwell,
And laid His majesty aside:
Whom all His heavens cannot contain,
For us He lived, a mournful man,
For us a painful death He died!

Still the great God resides below,
(And all His faithful people know
He will not from His church depart,)
The Father, Son, and Spirit dwells,
His kingdom in the poor reveals,
And fills with heaven the humble heart.

551. [Father, Thine eyes are open now]

That Thine eyes may be open toward this house, &c. —viii. 29.

Father, Thine eyes are open now,
And mark the Place to which I bow,
To which direct my prayer,
The Temple never built with hands,
Before Thy glorious throne it stands,
And all Thy name is there!

There in the temple of Thy Son,
I still for mercy, mercy groan,
Till Thou my guilt remove;

176

The grace for Jesus' sake I claim,
Through Him declare to me Thy name,
And manifest Thy love.

552. [O God, take all my sins away!]

What prayer soever be made by any man, &c. —viii. 38, 39.

O God, take all my sins away!
Instructed by Thyself I pray,
Spread forth my hands and heart;
Its secret plague too well I know:
Mercy on Thy poor servant show,
And bid my sins depart.

I turn to the true House of God,
The Temple for three days destroy'd,
And then raised up to heaven:
Father, regard that glorious Shrine
Fill'd with the plenitude Divine,
And speak my sins forgiven.

553. [Meanest of that happy band]

Happy are these thy servants, &c. —x. 8.

Meanest of that happy band
Who in Jesu's presence stand,
O might I, even I appear,
Wisdom's self in Jesus hear!
Humbly weeping at Thy feet,
Lord, I wait a look to meet,
By a smile Thy servant raise,
Lift me up, to see Thy face.

554. [On the first early dawn of grace]

When Solomon was old, his wives turned away, &c. —xi.

On the first early dawn of grace,
Alas! who can depend,
When the wise monarch's youthful days
In shameful dotage end!

177

O never, Lord, my soul forsake,
Nor let me rest secure
Of heavenly bliss, till death shall make
My perseverance sure.

Alas! J. W.

555. [But kings may spare their labour vain]

Jeroboam made priests of the lowest of the people. —xii. 31.

But kings may spare their labour vain,
For in such happy times as these
The vulgar can themselves ordain,
And priests commence, whoever please.

556. [Was it a sin in Nebat's son]

This thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, &c. —xiii. 34.

Was it a sin in Nebat's son,
A sin which all his house destroy'd,
(What safely may by us be done)
To make Divine appointments void?
Fearless of Jeroboam's fate
Shall men without commission dare
Priests from the crowd to consecrate,
And place them in the' apostle's chair?

557. [Me if Thou in the desert hide]

Hide thyself. —xvii. 3.

Me if Thou in the desert hide,
Or lay Thy servant quite aside,
I patiently submit;
For Thee if I must work no more,
For Thee I suffer, and adore
In silence at Thy feet.

558. [That thy stock may never cease]

The barrel of meal wasted not, &c. —xvii. 16.

That thy stock may never cease,
That thy little may increase,
Gladly of that little give,
Poor thyself, the poor relieve;

178

The great Prophet entertain,
Sure eternally to gain
All the infinite reward,
All the glory of Thy Lord.

559. [To bring my former sins to mind]

Art thou come to call my sin to remembrance, &c. —xvii. 18.

To bring my former sins to mind,
My comforts, Lord, Thou dost remove,
Revoke Thy gifts, severely kind,
And chasten me in jealous love:
The father's sin hath slain the son:
And if it still my offspring slays,
Deep humbled in the dust I own
Righteous and good are all Thy ways!

560. ['Tis thus the Lord my God descends]

He stretched himself upon the child. —xvii. 21.

'Tis thus the Lord my God descends
To raise a sinner from the dead,
His goodness over me extends,
And covers with His Spirit's shade,
Himself (amazing grace!) applies,
Inspires me with celestial powers,
And bids my quicken'd spirit rise,
And to my Father's arms restores.

561. [Without that sin-consuming fire]

The fire of the Lord fell, and consumed, &c. —xviii. 38.

Without that sin-consuming fire,
The priests of Baal pray in vain,
And teach, as taught by the old liar,
“Sin cannot be consumed in man!”
But who Elijah's God believe,
And wait His coming from above,
We shall the Holy Ghost receive,
The Spirit pure of burning love.

179

562. [Thou God, that answerest by fire]

Thou God, that answerest by fire,
On Thee in Jesu's name we call,
Fulfil our faithful heart's desire,
And let on us Thy Spirit fall:
Bound on that altar of Thy cross
Our old offending nature lies;
Now for the honour of Thy cause
Come, and consume the sacrifice.

Consume our lusts as rotten wood,
Consume our stony hearts within,
Consume the dust, the serpent's food,
And lick up all the streams of sin,
Its body totally destroy,
Thyself the Lord, the God approve,
And fill our hearts with holy joy,
And fervent zeal, and perfect love.

563. [O that the fire from heaven might fall]

The Lord, He is the God! the Lord, &c. —xviii. 39.

O that the fire from heaven might fall,
Our sins its ready victims find,
Seize on our sins, and burn up all,
Nor leave the least remains behind!
Then shall our prostrate souls adore,
The Lord, He is the God, confess,
He is the God of saving power,
He is the God of hallowing grace!

564. [While wandering in the wilderness]

He requested for himself that he might die. —xix. 4.

While wandering in the wilderness,
Such was my clamour to expire,
Not the deliberate wish of grace,
But nature's passionate desire:

180

Father, my peevish haste forgive,
And strengthen'd by Thy Spirit's supply,
Patient, at Thy command, I live,
Joyful, at Thy permission, die.

565. [Like him, in piety's decay]

I, even I, only am left. —xix. 10.

Like him, in piety's decay
I made my solitary moan,
Thou heard'st Thy desolate servant say,
I, even I am left alone!
But now with open heart and eyes
Thousands I in our Israel see,
Who idols hate, the world despise,
Its god renounce, and follow Thee.

566. [Not in the strong impetuous wind]

After the fire a still small voice. —xix. 12.

Not in the strong impetuous wind
Can I my gentle Saviour find;
Not in an hurricane of sound
Which rents the rocks, and shakes the ground;
Not in the heaven-enkindled fire,
The fervours of intense desire;
But I expect Him from above,
In the soft whispering voice of love.

567. [That voice which speaks Jehovah near]

When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face, &c. —xix. 13.

That voice which speaks Jehovah near,
That still small voice I long to hear:
O might it now the Lord proclaim,
And fill my soul with holy shame!
Ashamed I must for ever be,
Afraid the God of love to see,
If saints and prophets hide their face,
And angels tremble, while they gaze.

181

568. [I ask my soul, What dost thou here]

What doest thou here, Elijah? —xix. 13.

I ask my soul, What dost thou here,
Thou poor, afflicted sojourner?
My soul returns the sad reply,
I wander, wish, yet fear to die;
The burden of the' Almighty bear,
Consign'd to temporal despair,
Throughout this endless desert rove,
And pine, and faint for want of love.

Zealous I for my Lord have been,
Against the advocates of sin
Defied the world and Satan's frown,
And thrown their impious altars down;
And now of second death afraid,
I seek the shelter of the shade,
My hoary, hated head conceal,
And life's severest evils feel.

O might the hidden God unknown,
For whom I make my ceaseless moan,
The fugitive in pity see,
And manifest Himself to me!
That still, small voice I pant to hear,
Which speaks Him mercifully near,
Covers with guiltless shame the face,
And wraps the soul in silent praise.

Speak, Lord, that I my work may know,
May suffer out my time below,
Perform Thine acceptable will,
And all Thine after-pangs fulfil;
Tell me, Elijah's God is mine,
And strengthen'd by the voice Divine,
My course I shall with comfort end,
And on the fiery car ascend.

182

569. [Even in the most degenerate days]

Yet have I left Me seven thousand in Israel. —xix. 18.

Even in the most degenerate days
Some witnesses reserved shall be,
Some vessels of peculiar grace,
Conceal'd from man, but known to Thee;
Thou only canst their number tell:
O may they prosperously go on,
Till thousands into millions swell,
And all mankind in Christ are one.

570. [Thou know'st what Thou to me hast done]

Go back again: for what have I done to thee? —xix. 20.

Thou know'st what Thou to me hast done,
Thou hast my carnal soul pass'd by,
And after Thee I swiftly run,
Thy resolute disciple I,
Wrapp'd in a covering from above,
Caught by the mantle of Thy love!

Thy dying love my heart constrains:
My all for Thy dear sake I leave,
Participate my Saviour's pains,
And with the Man of Sorrows grieve,
Accept Thine every state below:
But back from Thee I cannot go.

571. [Scarce have we put the harness on]

Let not him that girdeth on his harness, &c. —xx. 11.

Scarce have we put the harness on,
When nature thinks, the work is done,
Defies the world and Satan's hosts,
And of her own perfection boasts:
But veterans in the service know
Their work is never done below;
And when to Christ their spirits they give,
They cease at once to fight and live.

183

572. [Worthy of death, afraid to die]

We have heard that the kings of Israel, &c. —xx. 31.

Worthy of death, afraid to die,
To Israel's gracious King I cry;
The grace Thou hast to others show'd,
O might it be on me bestow'd!
My cause of hope is all in Thee;
O God, be merciful to me,
I pray Thee let the sinner live,
And for mere mercy's sake forgive.

573. [Doth God regard the outward show?]

Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before Me? —xxi. 29.

Doth God regard the outward show?
There must be some remorse within,
Some dread (if it no farther go)
Of judgment hanging o'er his sin:
Righteous the judgment he confess'd,
Pray'd that on him it might not come,
And mercy stoop'd to his request,
And respited the tyrant's doom.

Humbled like him, the Lord I fear,
And softly in His presence go,
With horror mark His judgments near,
His arm made bare to give the blow!
O Thou who didst an Ahab spare,
A partial penitent reprieve,
Break, and inspire my heart with prayer,
And then for Thy own sake forgive.

184

II. KINGS.

574. [Such is the heart of man to God]

Again also he sent unto him another captain, &c. —i. 11.

Such is the heart of man to God,
So harden'd in his bold offence,
As resolute not to be subdued,
Or baffled by Omnipotence!
But from His angry presence driven,
Who will not here His judgments feel,
Unconquer'd by the fire from heaven
They perish by the fire of hell.

575. [When God receives His servants up]

Elijah took his mantle, and smote the waters, &c. —ii. 8.

When God receives His servants up,
As at the stream of death we stop,
On Jordan's brink a moment stay:
But Jesus, our immortal Guide,
Did by His death the waves divide,
And shows our souls an open way.

Christ and the promised land in view,
His ransom'd pass securely through,
Howe'er the idle billows roar;
In our Elijah's mantle clad,
By His eternal Spirit stay'd,
We reach with songs the heavenly shore!

576. [Before the saints to glory go]

Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken, &c. —ii. 9.

Before the saints to glory go,
We may implore their aid;
Christ doth on us the gifts bestow,
For which on earth they pray'd:
But when He doth our friends remove,
Himself their place supplies,
Our only Advocate above,
Who prays us to the skies.

185

577. [“Ask what ye will,” 'tis Jesu's word]

Ask what I shall do for thee . . . Let a double, &c. —ii. 9.

“Ask what ye will,” 'tis Jesu's word
To all the followers of their Lord;
He speaks with confidence Divine,
“To give the Holy Ghost is Mine!”
And Thou who didst to heaven go,
Wilt on Thy church the Spirit bestow,
To bless, and sanctify, and seal,
And all our souls for ever fill.

578. [Hard it is, but not for Thee]

Thou hast asked an hard thing. —ii. 10.

Hard it is, but not for Thee
Clothed with full authority,
Hard for sinners to receive,
Easy for my Lord to give:
Sent, in answer to Thy prayer,
Let the promised Comforter
Tell me, Saviour, who Thou art,
Show Thy glory to my heart.

579. [Thee Thy first disciples saw]

If thou see me, when I am taken from thee, &c. —ii. 10.

Thee Thy first disciples saw,
When Thou didst from earth withdraw,
Prostrate they received the sign,
Then the plenitude Divine:
Still our faith with joyful eyes
Sees our parting Master rise,
Thus assured Thy Spirit shall come,
Make us His eternal home.

580. [Not in contemplating, or prayer]

As they still went on and talked, &c. —ii. 11.

Not in contemplating, or prayer,
Their charge the flaming convoy find,
But labouring on with restless care,
And quickening whom He leaves behind,

186

Employ'd, and useful to the end:
And thus, my God, may I ascend!

581. [Suitable grace to him is show'd]

Suitable grace to him is show'd,
Who burn'd with fervent zeal for God,
By heavenly fire refined, removed,
Translated to the God he loved,
He without pain obtains the prize,
And mounts immortal to the skies.

582. [Seraphs the fiery horses were]

Seraphs the fiery horses were,
And cherubs form'd the heavenly car;
And lo, in state Elijah rides
To where the glorious God resides!
And thus the everlasting Son
Return'd in triumph to His throne!

583. [That chariot, in my life's short day]

And parted them both asunder. —ii. 11.

That chariot, in my life's short day
I oft have seen descend,
To tear my other self away,
To part me from my friend:
But lo, it comes my soul to' unite
With those that went before,
It whirls me to my friends in light,
Where we shall part no more.

584. [He leap'd the fatal ditch, where all]

Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. —ii. 11.

He leap'd the fatal ditch, where all
Our death-devoted race must fall!
Who once so fondly wish'd to die,
He went, not downward, to the sky,
And show'd the way by heaven design'd
To save our whole translated kind.

187

585. [See the true Elijah flies]

See the true Elijah flies,
Lord of those unfolding skies!
Swifter than the whirlwind's wings,
Flies the glorious King of kings,
Girt with flames of living fire,
Higher still He soars and higher,
Till He gains His bright abode,
Carries up our hearts to God!

586. [Jesus, dear departing Lord]

My father, my father! —ii. 12.

Jesus, dear departing Lord,
Hang we on Thy latest word,
Us who can Thy word receive,
Fatherless Thou wilt not leave:
Though we may a moment mourn,
Yet we look for Thy return,
Now enjoy the earnest given,
Then ascend with Thee to heaven.

587. [Lord of hosts, to Thee we bow]

The chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof, &c. —ii. 12.

Lord of hosts, to Thee we bow,
Israel's car and horsemen Thou!
Shall we not Thy loss deplore,
Whom we see on earth no more?
Ever mindful of Thine own,
Thou for us to heaven art gone,
Gone but to prepare our place,
Room for all the ransom'd race.

588. [We gather up with pious care]

He took up the mantle of Elijah. —ii. 13.

We gather up with pious care
What happy saints have left behind,
Their writings in our memory bear,
Their sayings on our faithful mind;

188

Their works which traced them to the skies
For patterns to ourselves we take,
And dearly love, and highly prize
The mantle for the wearer's sake.

589. [Ascending to be clothed upon]

He took up the mantle that fell from him. —ii. 13.

Ascending to be clothed upon
With purest robes of heavenly light,
(Robes that outshine the noonday sun,)
He drops his mantle in his flight!
Divested of mortality
He needs it not to wrap his face,
Allow'd his God unveil'd to see,
And strong to bear the glorious blaze!

590. [When saints forsake our mean abode]

Where is the Lord God of Elijah? —ii. 14.

When saints forsake our mean abode,
Our hearts should after them ascend,
Inquire, Where is Elijah's God,
The God of my translated friend?
His God, and mine, for ever lives,
Giver of immortality,
And who but now my friend receives,
Shall send the chariot soon—for me!

591. [To traverse hills and dales is vain]

They sought, but found him not. —ii. 17.

To traverse hills and dales is vain,
Or search the world around,
It cannot bring us to the man
On earth no longer found:
But following him in holy love,
In zeal, and faith, and prayer,
We soon shall find the seer above,
And share his raptures there.

189

592. [Jesus, Thy salvation bring]

He cast the salt into the spring, &c. —ii. 21.

Jesus, Thy salvation bring,
Cast the salt into the spring,
In my heart Thy love reveal,
Nature's bitter waters heal:
Let the principle of grace
Bring forth fruits of righteousness,
Then the barren curse is o'er,
Sin and death are then no more.

593. [Regardless of a private wrong]

He cursed them in the name of the Lord. —ii. 24.

Regardless of a private wrong,
No personal revenge he seeks:
Vengeance doth unto God belong,
And mock'd He in His prophet speaks:
Jehovah speaks the direful word,
That old and young, that great and small
May quake before their righteous Lord,
Who hates, and visits sin in all.

594. [Three kings expecting at his gate]

The king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, &c. —iii. 12.

Three kings expecting at his gate
The prophet's needful help implored,
Elijah's successor so great,
So great a servant of the Lord!

595. [Hark! the sacred minstrel plays]

It came to pass when the minstrel played, &c. —iii. 15.

Hark! the sacred minstrel plays,
And sings the great Jehovah's praise
See the soothed attentive seer
Ready now his God to hear!
All his powers in concert join,
Passive to the touch Divine,
Admit the everlasting Guest,
And heaven is open'd in his breast.

190

596. [When by the harp's harmonious aid]

When by the harp's harmonious aid
The fluttering of his spirit is laid,
When nature's latest tumult ends,
The Lord upon his soul descends,
Whose visit greater honour brings
Than three of earth's attending kings!

597. [Straiten'd in God we cannot be]

When the vessels were full, the oil stayed. —iv. 6.

Straiten'd in God we cannot be,
No bounds His power and bounty know,
His grace is an exhaustless sea,
Which flows, and shall for ever flow;
And if its course suspended seem,
The hindrance is in us, not Him.

All in ourselves the straitness lies,
Our faith, and not His promise, fails,
He blesses us with fresh supplies
Of joy out of salvation's wells;
And when our heart with joy runs o'er,
Enlarges, and still gives us more.

598. [Above what we can ask or hope]

Above what we can ask or hope,
The God of grace delights to give,
To fill the empty vessels up:
And when we grace for grace receive,
Enough in Christ remains behind,
To fill the souls of all mankind.

Long as our faith's capacity
Is stretch'd to' admit the blessing given,
We drink the streaming Deity,
And gasp for larger draughts of heaven!
But when we lose our emptiness,
The oil, the joy, the Spirit stays!

191

Empty us then, most gracious Lord,
And keep us always empty here,
Till Thee, according to Thy word,
We see upon the clouds appear,
Thy glorious fulness to reveal,
And all Thy saints for ever fill.

599. [To whom with my complaints should I]

He said unto his father, My head, my head. —iv. 19.

To whom with my complaints should I,
But to my heavenly Father, go?
Father, to Thee in pain I cry,
My heart, my heart to Thee I show!
It breaks, if Thou Thy help delay,
The soul which Thou hast made expires,
My spirit faints and sinks away,
Implunged in everlasting fires.

600. [Souls from the death of sin to raise]

He laid the staff upon the face of the child, &c. —iv. 31.

Souls from the death of sin to raise
What can a servant of the Lord?
The staff we lay before their face,
We minister the gospel-word,
Wait for the Saviour-God, from whom
Proceeds the animating power;
And Jesus to the dead doth come,
And by the Spirit of life restore.

601. [Type of Christ, the servant gains]

He prayed unto the Lord. —iv. 33.

Type of Christ, the servant gains
Power from heaven to raise the dead,
Power the Son Himself ordains,
Lord of life, and Fountain-head!
“Maid,” the Saviour saith, “Arise!”
With Divine authority,
“Lazarus, come forth,” He cries,
“Find thy life derived from Me!”

192

602. [See the power of God display'd]

The child opened his eyes. —iv. 35.

See the power of God display'd,
The mortal, quickening power!
He the living kills, the dead
He doth to life restore!
The great power of faith confess,
Reversing laws to nature given!
Power of prayer, which hath the keys
Of death, the womb, and heaven!

603. [Woman, thy faith is great]

Take up thy son. —iv. 36.

Woman, thy faith is great,
Receive thy dead restored!
And so shall I, who humbly wait
On mine almighty Lord:
That twice dead son of mine,
Jesus, on Thee I cast,
And trust the power of Love Divine
To raise his soul at last.

604. [Death in the pot! 'tis always there]

There is death in the pot. —iv. 40.

Death in the pot! 'tis always there,
The bane of all our food,
When we partake it without fear,
Without an eye to God:
Unless He sanctify the meat,
And bless us from the sky,
Unless we to His glory eat,
Our souls by eating die.

605. [Is it not Thy blessing, Lord]

Is it not Thy blessing, Lord,
Which makes the wholesome food?
Speak the sanctifying word
O'er this on us bestow'd;

193

Now into our hearts convey
The virtue which proceeds from Thee,
Every creature then shall say
“There is no harm in me!”

606. [No: for the Lord is not in them]

Are not Abana and Pharpar better? —v. 12.

No: for the Lord is not in them,
But Jordan's consecrated stream:
And by the means Himself ordains
We all may wash away our stains,
A leprous world may be restored
By virtue of the gospel-word,
Our spirit, soul, and flesh renew'd
In the pure laver of His blood.

607. [To cure the spirit's leprosy]

If the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, &c. —v. 13.

To cure the spirit's leprosy
Easy the way and plain:
Wouldst thou be heal'd? the method see,
And perfect soundness gain:
Wash in the Fountain, and be clean,
Repent, and be forgiven,
Believe, and be redeem'd from sin,
Love, and be rapt to heaven!

608. [Accepting what the poor bestow'd]

I will receive none. —v. 16.

Accepting what the poor bestow'd,
He spurn'd the riches of the great,
To show the world, a man of God
Trampling as dirt beneath his feet
The things they ignorantly prize,
Lays up his treasure in the skies.

609. [What saith a younger prophet's zeal?]

Go in peace. —v. 19.

What saith a younger prophet's zeal?
Not “go in peace” but “go to hell!”

194

“And would an hoary seer allow
That Naaman should to Rimmon bow?”
No; but he did his weakness spare,
Glad that his convert went so far,
The evil saw, the good confess'd,
And trusted God to do the rest.

610. [Deep sunk in nature's base desire]

He cut down a stick, and cast it in, and the iron, &c. —vi. 6.

Deep sunk in nature's base desire,
The sinful mud, the worldly mire,
What but the casting in of grace
This stony, iron heart, can raise,
To heavenly turn my earthly love,
And lift my soul to things above?

611. [Thick swarming from the dark abyss]

They that be with us, are more than they, &c. —vi. 16.

Thick swarming from the dark abyss
What troops our soul assail,
Rulers and principalities
And all the fiends of hell!
But Israel's God, supreme in might,
Their countless host o'erpowers,
Single He puts them all to flight;
And Israel's God is ours.

612. [How safe the man in Jesus found]

Behold, the mountain was full of horses, &c. —vi. 17.

How safe the man in Jesus found,
Who keeps his Saviour's word!
Angelic hosts his soul surround,
The chariots of the Lord,
Myriads of flaming guards he sees,
In earth and hell's alarms,
And feels beneath, the Rock of peace,
The everlasting arms!

195

613. [By all who neither love nor fear]

God do so and more also to me, if the head of, &c. —vi. 31.

By all who neither love nor fear
Our God, the righteous are abhorr'd,
As authors of their evils here,
They hate the servants of the Lord:
“Away with them,” the world exclaim,
“The Christians to the lions cast!”
The stream is troubled by the lamb,
And must be so, while time shall last.

614. [The world, O Lord, will not receive]

Thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt, &c. —vii. 2.

The world, O Lord, will not receive
Thy word to sinners given;
They see Thy church in plenty live,
And fed with bread from heaven:
Yet though Thou dost Thy blessings pour,
Incessant from the sky,
They never taste the gracious shower,
But unbelievers die.

615. [How should we place to Satan give]

Is thy servant a dog, that he should do this, &c. —viii. 13.

How should we place to Satan give,
Or sin to such excess?
We cannot now the depths conceive
Of our own wickedness;
Ourselves so skilful to conceal,
So exquisite our art,
God only knows the utmost hell
Of the deceitful heart.

But now, whate'er was done by man,
Divinely taught I see,
What most my soul abhors, I can
Commit, if left by Thee:

196

Ah, do not, Lord, forsake Thine own,
And I shall never fall,
Urged to all sins shall yield to none,
Though capable of all.

616. [Who in the painting art excel]

She painted her face, and tired her head. —ix. 30.

Who in the painting art excel,
Fair rivals of a Pagan fair,
Look in the glass of Jezebel,
Admire her lovely likeness there!

617. [Thus will I, Lord, Thy grace employ]

Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab. —x. 11.

Thus will I, Lord, Thy grace employ,
My former master to destroy,
Drive on, determined not to spare,
And shoot, and stab, and kill, and tear,
Till all of Ahab's house is slain,
And not one single sin remain:
Thou, Saviour, then shalt reign alone,
And call me up to share Thy throne.

618. [If mine were right, it could not be]

Is thine heart right? —x. 15.

If mine were right, it could not be,
Good God, so contrary to Thee,
So prone to every sin:
It must remain an evil heart,
Till Thou Thy hallowing grace impart,
And Christ is form'd within.

619. [Can all her fleets and armies save]

O my father, my father, the chariot of, &c. —xiii. 14.

Can all her fleets and armies save
Britannia from her foes?
No confidence in these we have,
When Rome and hell oppose:

197

What is it then that stands between,
Our nation's sure defence?
The prayers of a few righteous men,
Back'd with Omnipotence!

620. [Like him, I smote, engaged with sin]

He smote thrice, and stayed. —xiii. 18.

Like him, I smote, engaged with sin,
Like him I follow'd not my blow;
Rekindled hence the war within,
Revived again the vanquish'd foe:
But now I will Thy word obey,
I will pursue my victory,
And still smite on, and never stay,
Till sin is all consumed in me.

621. [But lo, the Lord for ever lives]

Elisha died, and they buried him. —xiii. 20.

But lo, the Lord for ever lives,
And freely still His Spirit gives,
Who never ties to one His grace,
Can other faithful prophets raise:
He doth His labourers remove,
Yet carries on His work of love,
By whom He will delights to send,
And bless His church, till time shall end.

622. [He went, and touch'd Elisha's bones]

When the man was let down [Heb. went,] &c. —xiii. 21.

He went, and touch'd Elisha's bones
To show, how Adam's fallen sons
May yet the life Divine retrieve:
Drawn by His grace we all may go,
May all our God and Saviour know,
And feel the power of Christ, and live.

198

By faith and hope I now draw nigh,
With Jesus dead and buried I
His resurrection's virtue prove;
I magnify my glorious Lord,
By one continued touch restored
To all the life of heavenly love.

Strengths. Heb.

623. [Our God almighty to redeem]

Let not thy God in whom thou trustest, &c. —xix. 10.

Our God almighty to redeem
All gracious we believe,
And know, who humbly trust in Him
He never can deceive.

624. [My house I may in order set]

Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, &c. —xx. 1.

My house I may in order set,
Thou only canst my soul prepare;
O make me for Thy glory meet,
And send the welcome messenger,
That when I my discharge receive,
With Thee I may for ever live.

625. [Howe'er Thou may'st to-morrow deal]

Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days? —xx. 19.

Howe'er Thou may'st to-morrow deal
With a degenerate race,
Thy goodness, Lord, to-day we feel,
Thy present goodness praise;
Thy truth in this our day we know,
Thy people's peace we prove,
And hand in hand through life we go
To' enjoy Thine heavenly love.

626. [How went he to his grave in peace]

Because thine heart was tender, and thou, &c. —xxii. 19, 20.

How went he to his grave in peace,
Who by the sword in battle fell?
Mercy, which sign'd his soul's release,
Did pardon on his conscience seal:

199

He felt the peace of those that live
Triumphant in eternal day,
Peace which the world can never give,
Which death can never take away!

627. [O for that tenderness of heart]

O for that tenderness of heart
Which bows before the Lord,
Acknowledges how just Thou art,
And trembles at Thy word!
O for those humble contrite tears
Which from repentance flow,
That consciousness of guilt, which fears
The long suspended blow!

Saviour, to me in pity give
The sensible distress,
The pledge Thou wilt at last receive,
And bid me die in peace,
Wilt from the dreadful day remove
Before the evil come,
My spirit hide with saints above,
My body in the tomb.

628. [King of kings, I cry to Thee]

He did lift up the head of Jehoiachin, &c. —xxv. 27–29.

King of kings, I cry to Thee,
Turn my long captivity,
Break the Babylonish chain,
Lift Thou up my head again;
Thou my kind Redeemer art,
Speak forgiveness to my heart,
Change the prisoner's sordid dress,
Robe me in Thy righteousness.

Me an hoary, captive king,
Out of Satan's dungeon bring,

200

Raise me, Saviour, to a throne,
Make me partner of Thine own,
Let me at Thy table sit
Nourish'd with immortal meat,
Let me there partake of Thee,
Feast to all eternity.

I. CHRONICLES.

629. [O that Thou wouldst Thy servant bless]

Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, &c. —iv. 10.

O that Thou wouldst Thy servant bless
With all the blessings of Thy love,
My heart enlarge, my faith increase,
Evil, and pain far off remove,
Keep by the presence of Thy power,
That sin may never grieve me more.

630. [Sore assail'd, o'erpower'd, oppress'd]

They cried to God in the battle, &c. —v. 20.

Sore assail'd, o'erpower'd, oppress'd
I in the battle cry:
Saviour, grant me my request;
Who on Thy aid rely:
Weak, and helpless as I am,
Yet, Lord, I must victorious prove
Trusting in Thy saving name,
Thy true almighty love.

631. [Great God of hosts, against my foe]

There fell down many slain, because the war, &c. —v. 22.

Great God of hosts, against my foe,
At Thy command and cost I go,
Commission'd by Thy word, engage
A just and holy war to wage:

201

And if I fight sustain'd by Thee,
I must obtain the victory,
Must more than victory obtain,
And see my sins for ever slain.

632. [David's Son by heaven adored]

Thine are we, David, and on thy side, &c. —xii. 18.

David's Son by heaven adored,
We for our King receive,
Unto Thee our sovereign Lord
In life and death we cleave,
Loving, true allegiance bear,
And to Thy will ourselves resign,
Thine without reserve we are,
Irrevocably Thine.

Jesus come, Thy kingdom here
Set up we long to see,
Forward on Thy side to' appear,
O'erjoy'd to act for Thee:
In Thy word of righteousness
Ride on, Thy royal right maintain,
Bless'd of God, and sent to bless
The nations with Thy reign!

633. [When the loving King of kings]

There was joy in Israel. —xii. 40.

When the loving King of kings
In us erects His throne,
Peace unspeakable it brings,
And glorious joy unknown;
Tasting then His gospel-word,
With all His gracious fulness bless'd,
Keep we with our heavenly Lord
An everlasting feast.

202

634. [In every sacred exercise]

God helped the Levites that bare the ark. —xv. 26.

In every sacred exercise
We need the succour of the skies,
But chiefly when we preach Thy word;
Or bear the vessels of the Lord:
Our power and whole sufficiency,
Jesus, is still derived from Thee;
And if we minister Thy grace,
Thine, only Thine, be all the praise.

635. [If in David's steps we tread]

David returned to bless his house. —xvi. 43.

If in David's steps we tread,
And pay our public vows,
Public doth not supersede
Thy worship in our house:
Joining with Thy sacred word
The voice of fervent praise and prayer,
Daily there we seek our Lord,
And find Thy blessing there.

636. [Gracious Thou, when most severe]

Let me fall into the hand of the Lord. —xxi. 13.

Gracious Thou, when most severe:
Let me, Lord, myself resign,
(If I must be punish'd here)
Fall into the Hands Divine,
Hands that this frail creature made,
Hands that still my soul sustain,
Hands which for my folly bled;
Bled the balm that heals my pain.

637. [What is in man for God to' approve?]

The Lord liked me to make me king. —xxviii. 4.

What is in man for God to' approve?
He makes us such as He can love,

203

He loved us, not for faith foreknown,
But freely in His favourite Son:
Us to our Head His Spirit unites,
In us as part of Christ delights,
Elected, with that perfect Man,
In everlasting bliss to reign.

638. [Do we not all from Thee receive]

If thou seek Him, He will be found of thee, &c. —xxviii. 9.

Do we not all from Thee receive
The dreadful power to seek, or leave?
The dreadful power through grace I use,
And chose of God, my God I choose:
Thee will I seek while life shall last;
Ah! do not from Thy presence cast,
But now, even now be found of me,
And let my soul be hid in Thee.

639. [Lord, in the strength of grace]

Who is willing to consecrate his service this day, &c. —xxix. 5.

Lord, in the strength of grace,
With a glad heart and free
Myself, my residue of days,
I consecrate to Thee;
Thy ransom'd servant I
Restore to Thee Thine own,
And from this moment live, or die,
To serve my God alone.

640. [The Lord a cheerful giver loves]

The people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly. —xxix. 9.

The Lord a cheerful giver loves;
A cheerful giver loves the Lord,
And while by works his faith he proves,
Receives an hundred-fold reward,
With joy restores what God had given,
Bless'd with anticipated heaven.

204

641. [Bless'd be our everlasting Lord]

Blessed be Thou, Lord God of Israel, &c. —xxix. 10, 11.

Bless'd be our everlasting Lord,
Our Father, God, and King,
Thy sovereign greatness we record,
Thy glorious power we sing;
By Thee the victory is given,
The majesty Divine,
And strength, and might, and earth and heaven,
And all therein is Thine.

642. [The kingdom, Lord, is Thine alone]

Thine is he kingdom, O Lord, &c. —xxix. 11, 12.

The kingdom, Lord, is Thine alone
Who dost Thy right maintain,
And high on Thine eternal throne
O'er men and angels reign:
Riches, as seemeth good to Thee,
Thou dost, and honour give;
And kings their power and dignity
Out of Thine hand receive.

643. [Thou hast on us the grace bestow'd]

Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, &c. —xxix. 13.

Thou hast on us the grace bestow'd
Thy greatness to proclaim,
And therefore now we thank our God,
And praise Thy glorious name;
Thy glorious name and nature's powers
Thou hast to man made known,
And all the Deity is ours,
Through Thine incarnate Son.

644. [O may I never, never seek]

Who am I, and what is my people? —xxix. 14.

O may I never, never seek
Myself to aggrandise,
But meanly think, and humbly speak,
As vile in my own eyes:

205

What am I, Lord, but sinful dust?
Yet, bought with blood Divine,
If in Thy only Son I trust,
Whate'er Thou art is mine.

645. [God hath all our actions wrought]

All things come of Thee, and of Thine own, &c. —xxix. 14.

God hath all our actions wrought;
Thou with every gracious thought,
Thou with every good desire
Dost our feeble hearts inspire;
Pay we then our thankful rent,
Praises to our Lord present,
Gladly give Thee back Thine own,
Live and die to God alone.

646. [The angels are at home in heaven]

We are strangers before Thee, and sojourners, &c. —xxix. 15.

The angels are at home in heaven,
The saints unsettled pilgrims here:
Our days are as a shadow, driven
From earth, so soon we disappear,
We no abiding city have,
No place of resting, but the grave.

Transient our life, and dark, and vain,
With empty joy and solid woe,
It never can return again,
Soon as our dream is pass'd below,
Its darkness ends in perfect night,
Or glorious everlasting light.

647. [O Lord our God, we bless Thee now]

Now bless the Lord your God. —xxix. 20.

O Lord our God, we bless Thee now,
To Thee our souls and bodies bow,
With humblest awe fall down before
Thy throne, and joyfully adore;

206

God of our ancestors we praise,
The Father, Son, and Spirit of grace,
One glorious God in persons three,
Our God through all eternity.

648. [Whoe'er the King of kings adore]

All the congregation blessed the Lord God, &c. —xxix. 20.

Whoe'er the King of kings adore,
Must reverence His vicegerent here,
Not earth and hell with all their power
Can separate loyalty and fear:
And hence the man set up by Thee,
Great God, Thy faithful people own,
In him Thy royal image see,
And bow before the British throne.

649. [Full, but not satisfied]

He died, full of days, riches, and honour. —xxix. 28.

Full, but not satisfied
With wealth and pomp, he died:
Wealth, and pomp, and length of days,
Could not fill a deathless soul
Made to feast on Jesu's grace,
While eternal ages roll.

Jesus, my soul to fill
Thy blessed Self reveal,
Come, and bring me from above
All the life of righteousness,
All the riches of Thy love,
All the glories of Thy grace.

650. [O 'tis enough! I ask no more]

O 'tis enough! I ask no more,
Full of a few sad sinful days,
Sated with life, till life is o'er
I languish to conclude my race,

207

And silently resign my breath,
And sink into the shades of death.

This earth without regret I leave,
Impatient for my heavenly rest:
Saviour, my weary soul receive,
Take a sad pilgrim to Thy breast,
Who only live, and die, to be
Restored, resorb'd, and lost in Thee.

II. CHRONICLES.

651. [Wisdom Divine I long to know]

Give me now wisdom and knowledge. —i. 10.

Wisdom Divine I long to know:
The wisdom which Thou art,
Jesus, on a poor worm bestow,
And speak into my heart:
I never can be satisfied,
Till Thou art fully given;
On earth I nothing want beside,
Nothing besides in heaven.

652. [Wisdom, because we ask, He gives]

Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee, &c. —i. 12.

Wisdom, because we ask, He gives,
Riches, because we ask them not:
Riches of grace whoe'er receives,
Above whate'er he wish'd or thought,
Will find, with Jesu's kingdom given,
Peace upon earth, and joy in heaven.

653. [Father of everlasting grace]

That Thine eyes may be open upon this house, &c. —vi. 20, 21.

Father of everlasting grace,
Be mindful of Thy changeless word;
We worship toward that holiest Place,
In which Thou dost Thy name record,

208

Dost make Thy gracious nature known,
That living temple of Thy Son.

Thou dost with sweet complacence see
That Temple fill'd with light Divine:
And art Thou not well pleased with me,
Who turning to that heavenly Shrine,
Through Jesus to Thy throne apply,
Through Jesus for acceptance cry?

With all who for redemption groan,
Father, in Jesu's name I pray;
And still we cry and wrestle on,
Till mercy takes our sins away:
Hear from Thy dwelling-place in heaven,
And now pronounce our sins forgiven.

654. [Respecting Jesus in our prayer]

Hear, and do . . . that all people of the earth, &c. —vi. 33.

Respecting Jesus in our prayer,
For this, O God, we call on Thee,
Thy name throughout the earth declare,
That all may Thy salvation see,
May all, like us, Thy goodness prove,
And feel the fear which flows from love.

Our prayer, presented through Thy Son,
Answer on all the ransom'd kind,
Collect Thy scatter'd sheep in one,
To Jesus, and Thy people join'd,
Let every soul Thy nature know,
And see the King of saints below.

655. [No: every fallen child of man]

There is no man which sinneth not. —vi. 36.

No: every fallen child of man
Must sin in thought, and word, and deed:
But bursting our oppressor's chain
When Jesus hath His prisoners freed,

209

The dire necessity is o'er,
And born of God we sin no more.

656. [Jesus, the word of mercy give]

Let Thy priests be clothed with salvation, &c. —vi. 41.

Jesus, the word of mercy give,
And let it swiftly run,
And let the priests themselves believe,
And put salvation on:
Clothed with the Spirit of holiness
May all Thy people prove
The plenitude of gospel-grace,
The joy of perfect love.

657. [Jesus Thine anointed One]

O Lord God, turn not away the face of Thine Anointed. —vi. 42.

Jesus Thine anointed One
For helpless sinners prays:
Canst Thou disregard Thy Son,
Or turn away His face?
Him Thou always hear'st well-pleased,
My Intercessor at Thy side;
Save me then, the soul distress'd
For whom Messias died.

658. [Drawn by Thy messengers' report]

Thou exceedest the fame that I heard. —ix. 6.

Drawn by Thy messengers' report,
I hearken, Lord, to Thee:
But O! their word how faint, how short
Of what I hear and see!
True Son of David, I confess
Thou far exceed'st the fame:
Not angel-tongues could half express
The wonders of Thy name.

210

What wisdom from Thy lips distils,
So full of glorious grace!
The glory all Thy household fills
Reflected from Thy face:
Thy charms the seraphs' thought transcend,
And dazzle all above,
For only saints can comprehend
The mystery of Thy love.

659. [I cannot, Lord, in judgment stand]

They have humbled themselves, &c. —xii. 7.

I cannot, Lord, in judgment stand,
I sink beneath Thy mighty hand,
And guilty, guilty plead;
Righteous in all Thy ways art Thou,
And wouldst have had me live, if now
Thy justice strike me dead.

Yet if I do at last relent,
And by a power from Thee repent
Of all that I have done,
An humbled soul Thou wilt not slay,
But turn Thy righteous wrath away,
And give me to Thy Son.

660. [An abject slave I long have been]

Nevertheless they shall be his servants, &c. —xii. 8.

An abject slave I long have been
To Satan, and the world, and sin,
As by my God forsook,
Who would not to my Saviour stoop,
The burden of His cross take up,
Or bear His easy yoke.

The difference now I know and feel;
Jesus, to serve Thy foes is hell;
But once again forgiven,

211

O let me find in serving Thee
The glorious, perfect liberty,
The happiness of heaven.

661. [By numbers urged, o'erpower'd we are]

They cried unto the Lord, and gave a shout. —xiii. 14, 15.

By numbers urged, o'erpower'd we are,
But, Jesus, on Thy name we call,
Thy Spirit in the cry of prayer,
And shout of faith, shall conquer all.

662. [Be they strong, or void of might]

Lord, it is nothing with Thee to help, &c. —xiv. 11.

Be they strong, or void of might,
Many, O Lord, or few,
Thou dost for Thy people fight,
And all their foes subdue:
Thou wilt more than conquer mine,
Who weak as helpless infancy,
Apprehend through faith Divine
The power of God in Thee.

663. [Lord of hosts, and God of love]

Help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on Thee, &c. —xiv. 11.

Lord of hosts, and God of love,
To Thee for help we cry,
Send us succour from above
Who on Thyself rely;
Earth, and sin to Thy great name,
And all the powers of darkness bow:
Jesus, evermore the same,
Appear our Saviour now!

664. [Father, help, by covenant ours]

O Lord, Thou art our God; let not man prevail, &c. —xiv. 11.

Father, help, by covenant ours,
Nor let Thy promise fail,
Let not earth's confederate powers
Against Thy church prevail;

212

If to Christ our Head we join,
One spirit if with Christ we be,
Conquering us in Jesus Thine,
Great God, they conquer Thee.

665. [By humble faith and active love]

The Lord is with you, while ye be with Him. —xv. 2.

By humble faith and active love
Long as we stay with Thee,
Thou wilt not from Thy church remove,
Thou wilt abide with me:
With Thee that I may still remain,
And never more depart,
Jesus, create my soul again,
And dwell within my heart.

666. [Justly, O Lord, Thou dost require]

If ye seek Him, He will be found of you. —xv. 2.

Justly, O Lord, Thou dost require
The industry of man,
And seeking with our whole desire
We cannot seek in vain:
Thee if we follow on to know,
We must Thy sweetness prove,
And find our paradise below
The' experience of Thy love.

667. [Faithful, O God, Thy threatening word]

But if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you. —xv. 2.

Faithful, O God, Thy threatening word,
And righteous Thy decree,
Whoe'er deny their gracious Lord
Shall be denied by Thee:
His pardon, who to sin turns back,
Thou surely wilt revoke,
The' apostate utterly forsake
And blot out of Thy book.

213

668. [O Thou, whose eyes run to and fro]

The eyes of the Lord run to and fro, &c. —xvi. 9.

O Thou, whose eyes run to and fro
To mark Thy worshippers below,
Who Thee sincerely love,
Thou dost in their behalf appear,
While sin, the world, and hell are near,
And hide their lives above.

Omniscient God, to me impart
The blessing of an upright heart,
And then Thine eyes will see
With kind regard my favour'd soul,
And Jesus will put forth His whole
Omnipotence in me.

669. [The' incurable disease]

Asa was diseased in his feet: yet he sought not, &c. —xvi. 12.

The' incurable disease
Which baffles human art,
The Healer of mankind can ease,
Or bid it all depart:
I hang upon Thy breath!
And let Thy will be done,
In ease and pain, in life and death,
I seek to God alone.

670. [Ah, how can I my heart prepare]

Thou hast prepared thine heart to seek God. —xix. 3.

Ah, how can I my heart prepare
To seek my Lord aright?
Jesus, the Way, Thyself declare
In pure unerring light,
Giver of true repentance, break
This stubborn heart of stone,
Then shall I leave my sins, and seek,
And find Thee all my own.

214

671. [Power and might are in Thy hand]

In Thine hand is power and might. —xx. 6.

Power and might are in Thy hand
Which gives the victory,
None is able to withstand
An host sustain'd by Thee:
Show Thyself the Lord most high,
Exert Thine arm in our defence,
Jesus come, and glorify
Thine own omnipotence.

672. [So powerful both by sea and land]

We have no might against this great company. —xx. 12.

So powerful both by sea and land,
Can Britain say, we have no might?
None, none against our foes to stand,
Unless the Lord for Israel fight:
We have no might wherein to trust,
And will, if bless'd with victory,
Jesus, of Thy protection boast,
And all the praise ascribe to Thee.

673. [Thou know'st, I know not what to do]

Neither know we what to do: but our eyes are, &c. —xx. 12.

Thou know'st, I know not what to do,
But turn on Thee my wishful eye,
The help of man, the means, look through,
On Thee, on Thee alone rely:
Mine eye of faith, desire and prayer
For ever fix'd on heaven, attends,
Till saved I find a Spokesman there,
And God into my heart descends.

Caught in the toils of hell and sin,
One farther step I cannot go;
What shall I do my God to win?
My God, and none beside can show:

215

Saviour, my helpless desperate state
Thou dost, Thou dost this moment see:
And lo, I every moment wait
To know what Love designs for me.

674. [Bewilder'd, lost, I must stand still]

Stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord. —xx. 17.

Bewilder'd, lost, I must stand still,
Alas I can no farther go;
Wilt Thou not, Lord, Thyself reveal?
I want, I wait Thyself to know:
This moment if Thou ready art
To make a worm Thy humble home,
Break in even now upon my heart,
My Saviour and salvation, come.

675. [Jesus, on Thee our souls are stay'd]

Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be, &c. —xx. 20.

Jesus, on Thee our souls are stay'd,
Who hast the sure foundation laid,
Thou wilt complete the work begun
Our Saviour still through faith alone,
Confirm the grace to sinners given,
And build Thy temples up to heaven.

676. [Let all in joyful songs record]

Praise the Lord; for His mercy endureth for ever. —xx. 21.

Let all in joyful songs record
The mercy of our common Lord,
The God of everlasting grace
He claims our everlasting praise.

677. [Weakest, when I strongest seem]

When he was strong, his heart was lifted up. —xxvi. 16.

Weakest, when I strongest seem,
Fallen alas I am through pride,
Sinless then myself I dream,
Pure, and wholly sanctified,
Fold my arms, and take my ease,
Safe in perfect holiness.

216

Wake my soul to sleep no more,
Give me back my poverty,
Till the kingdom Thou restore:
When it is restored in me,
Give me, Lord, myself to feel
Weak, and poor, and nothing still.

Perhaps so. J.W.

678. [“But now (the warm Enthusiast cries)]

It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, &c. —xxvi. 18.

“But now (the warm Enthusiast cries)
The office to myself I take,
Offering the Christian sacrifice,
Myself a lawful priest I make,
To me the honour appertains;
No need of man, when God ordains.

“Though kings may not so far presume,
'Tis no presumption in a clown:
And lo, without a call from Rome,
My flail, or hammer I lay down!
And if my order's name ye seek,
Come see a new Melchizedek!”

679. [Ye upstart priests, your sentence know]

Uzziah was a leper unto the day of his death. —xxvi. 21.

Ye upstart priests, your sentence know,
The marks you can no longer hide,
Your daring deeds too plainly show
The loathsome leprosy of pride;
And if ye still your crime deny,
Who lepers live, shall lepers die.

680. [Just such a wretch am I]

In the time of his distress did he trespass yet, &c. —xxviii. 22.

Just such a wretch am I,
Who underneath the rod
Sin on self-harden'd, and defy
The utmost wrath of God:

217

The deeper in distress,
The farther I rebel,
As bent to claim for my own place
The hottest place in hell.

'Tis not in pain to move
This most obdurate heart;
Only the power of bleeding love
Can stone to flesh convert,
Bid my rebellions end,
And wash the Ethiop white,
And change a foul incarnate fiend
Into a child of light.

681. [May'st Thou not still conceal Thy face]

God left him, to try him, that he might, &c. —xxxii. 31.

May'st Thou not still conceal Thy face,
Withdraw the sweet delights of grace,
And from Thine own depart,
To try, and seal them for Thine own,
To show the sin which lurk'd unknown
In my deceitful heart?

Surely, before my Lord withdrew,
Hid from myself I never knew
What now I groan to feel:
Thy absence hath my pride bewray'd,
And thus convinced, I see display'd
The depths of my own hell.

Left to myself, I now confess,
My heart is desperate wickedness,
But trust Thy gracious power
To make an utter end of sin,
Thou wilt at last appear within,
And never leave me more.

No! Not unprovoked. J.W.

218

682. [Viler than Manasses I]

When he was in affliction, he besought, &c. —xxxiii. 12, 13.

Viler than Manasses I,
Forced by deep affliction pray,
Prostrate in Thy presence cry
Take Thy heavy plague away,
If Thou canst intreated be,
Hear, my God, and pardon me.

To mine inmost soul restore
Forfeited felicity,
Fulness of victorious power,
Peace and joy reveal in me,
Give the gracious kingdom back,
Save me now for Jesu's sake.

EZRA.

683. [Rock of eternity]

All the people shouted, because the foundation, &c. —iii. 11.

Rock of eternity,
Thy church is built on Thee,
Thou the Foundation art,
Laid in the faithful heart,
And fill'd with glorious joy unknown,
We shout to see Thy house begun.

The sure Foundation laid
Makes all Thy people glad,
Who wait, with joy renew'd,
To see the house of God
In finish'd holiness arise,
By just degrees to reach the skies.

219

684. [What but Thy strength-inspiring eye]

The eye of their God was upon the elders, &c. —v. 5.

What but Thy strength-inspiring eye
Thy weakest servants could sustain?
Jesus, Thou dost with grace supply,
And lo, the heathen rage in vain,
They cannot make the workmen cease,
Or stop Thy preaching witnesses.

685. [In vain we offer sacrifice]

That they may offer sacrifices unto the God of, &c. —vi. 10.

In vain we offer sacrifice
To God who rules both earth and skies,
Unless our loyal hearts revere
His image and vicegerent here;
But when for conscience we obey,
Long live our king on earth, we pray,
Long live our king, and late remove
To claim his crown of life above!

686. [Thou that by a touch Divine]

The Lord turned the heart of the king unto, &c. —vi. 22.

Thou that by a touch Divine
Dost the heart of kings incline,
See, with smiles of favour see
Whom our faith presents to Thee:
Mould, and turn his heart and will
All Thy counsel to fulfil,
Honour'd with his God to join,
Glad to second Thy design.

By his gracious wise commands
Strengthen Thou the workmen's hands,
Who, as instruments of grace,
Under Thee Thy temple raise:

220

Or if so Thy will ordain
Not to' accept the help of man,
Only Thou Thy servants own,
Build the house Thyself alone.

687. [Jesus, with Thine o'ershadowing hand]

The king granted him all his request, according, &c.— vii. 6.

Jesus, with Thine o'ershadowing hand,
With Thine almighty favour bless'd,
Thy servants before kings shall stand,
And prosper'd in their just request,
Boldly dispense that gospel-word;
Which builds the temple of the Lord.

688. [Conducted by His gracious power]

He came to Jerusalem, according to the good, &c. —vii. 9.

Conducted by His gracious power,
Where'er our Lord directs we go,
Secure in danger's blackest hour,
And careless of our ambush'd foe,
Whom Jesus covers with His hand,
We reach the holy, heavenly land.

689. [The' external house of the Most High]

God hath put this in the king's heart, to beautify, &c. —vii. 27.

The' external house of the Most High
Cyrus may build, or beautify,
Jesus, 'tis Thine alone to raise
The living temples of Thy grace,
To' adorn our souls, when cleansed from sin,
And make us glorious all within.

690. [Lord, we before the world profess]

I was ashamed to require of the king a band of, &c. —viii. 22.

Lord, we before the world profess
Our trust in Thine almighty grace
Which for Thy servants cares;
Thou, while we trust on Thee alone,
Dost bring the blind by ways unknown,
And number all our hairs.

221

Ah, leave us not in danger's day,
By fear Thine honour to betray,
By base mistrust to' offend
The strangers to Thy pardoning love;
But let us still consistent prove,
And faithful to the end.

691. [Father, in Christ we seek Thy face]

The hand of our God is upon all them for, &c. —viii. 22.

Father, in Christ we seek Thy face;
Stay by Thine outstretch'd hand of grace
The weak, and lead the blind,
In every trying hour defend,
Till the high prize we apprehend,
And heaven in Jesus find.

692. [Favour, and grace to Israel shown]

And now for a little space grace hath been, &c. —ix. 8.

Favour, and grace to Israel shown
Is from the Lord our God alone,
Whatever hand Thy blessing brings,
Or Persia's, or Britannia's kings,
The Fountain in the streams we see,
And all our good derived from Thee.

693. [Thou lately, Lord, in special grace]

To leave us a remnant to escape. —ix. 8.

Thou lately, Lord, in special grace,
Hast visited our captive race,
The remnant left in Babylon,
And made Thy pardoning mercy known,
And help'd us to escape away
By the first dawn of gospel-day.

694. [Mercy hath a sure nail bestow'd]

To give us a nail in His holy place. —ix. 8.

Mercy hath a sure nail bestow'd
And fix'd us in the House of God,
Where Thou Thy glories dost reveal,
In Christ the holy Place we dwell,

222

Nor will we from the Temple move,
Or quit our hold of Jesu's love.

695. [Now with enlighten'd eyes we see]

That our God may lighten our eyes, and give, &c. —ix. 8.

Now with enlighten'd eyes we see
In Christ the smiling Deity,
Out of the house of bondage freed,
And raised with Jesus from the dead,
Yet still we for redemption pray,
For perfect life, and perfect day.

696. [Bondmen indeed! too long we lived]

We were bondmen; yet our God hath not, &c. —ix. 9.

Bondmen indeed! too long we lived,
In Egypt's iron furnace bound,
And then, the thralls of Babel, grieved,
Till Love Divine a ransom found,
Pitied our sore captivity,
And died Himself, to set us free.

697. [Yes; for we are not yet in hell]

Thou our God hast punished us less than our, &c. —ix. 13.

Yes; for we are not yet in hell,
Worthy the fiercest torments there,
With kindred fiends we do not dwell,
Or gnaw our tongues through vain despair;
Chastised, we still on earth remain,
Patient beneath Thy judgments grieve,
And short of that eternal pain,
'Tis mercy, all we can receive!

698. [Such as we are, without disguise]

We are before Thee in our trespasses. —ix. 15.

Such as we are, without disguise,
Or colouring we appear,
O'erwhelm'd, before Thy glorious eyes,
With guilty shame and fear:

223

Helpless, and in our trespasses,
Most gracious God, receive,
And us who thus our sins confess,
For Jesu's sake forgive.

699. [Why should I of His grace despair]

Yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing. —x. 2.

Why should I of His grace despair,
Who this, and all my sins did bear,
My Saviour, and my God?
Surely there is for Israel hope,
For every soul that dares look up,
And catch that streaming blood!

NEHEMIAH.

700. [Lord, in kind compassion hear]

O Lord, let Thine ear be attentive to the prayer, &c. —i. 11.

Lord, in kind compassion hear
One who would Thy greatness fear,
Grant my feeble heart's desire,
With that godly awe inspire;
When I truly fear Thy name,
Sure of farther grace I am,
Then I shall Thy mercy prove,
Then I shall Thy goodness love.

701. [Father, the ancient greeting hear]

Let the king live for ever. —ii. 3.

Father, the ancient greeting hear,
By faith converted to a prayer,
Wash'd in Thy Son's atoning blood,
Ordain'd to share the throne of God,

224

Among Thy royal priests receive,
And let our king for ever live.

702. [Workmen, and soldiers of the Lord]

Every one with one of his hands wrought in, &c. —iv. 17.

Workmen, and soldiers of the Lord,
We hold the trowel and the sword,
Weapons and tools at once we bear,
The foe repel, the house repair,
Till Jesus in Himself brings down
The labourer's hire, and victor's crown.

703. [Watch'd by the world's malignant eye]

Ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God, &c. —v. 9.

Watch'd by the world's malignant eye,
Who load us with reproach and shame,
As servants of the Lord most high,
As zealous for His glorious name
We ought in all His paths to move,
With holy fear, and humble love.

That wisdom, Lord, on us bestow,
From every evil to depart,
To stop the mouth of every foe,
While upright both in life and heart,
The proofs of godly fear we give,
And show them how the Christians live.

704. [A Christian, should I fly, or yield]

Should such a man as I flee? —vi. 11.

A Christian, should I fly, or yield,
Arm'd by my heavenly Lord
With faith's impenetrable shield,
And with His Spirit's sword?
Let heathen shrink, and hirelings fly:
The champion of my God,
The conqueror of the world am I,
Through my Redeemer's blood.

225

705. [This is the joy my soul desires]

The joy of the Lord is your strength. —viii. 10.

This is the joy my soul desires,
The joy my Saviour's love inspires,
Which brings the power that sets me free,
Power to renounce whate'er is me;
Power to sell all, and purchase Thee.

706. [O God, at Thy command we rise]

Stand up and bless the Lord your God for ever and ever. —ix. 5.

O God, at Thy command we rise,
Thy glorious name to bless,
Thee the great Lord of earth and skies
We joyfully confess;
Our joy is now to sing of Thee,
To triumph in Thy love,
And this (transporting thought!) shall be
Our endless work above.

707. [But O! our feeble strains of praise]

Blessed be Thy glorious name, which is exalted, &c. —ix. 5.

But O! our feeble strains of praise,
How short of Thee they fall!
Let angels stronger voices raise,
To hymn the Lord of all:
Thou challengest the loftiest song
Of that celestial host;
Yet still Thy majesty they wrong,
When they exalt it most.

708. [Thou, even Thou, art God alone]

Thou, even Thou, art Lord alone; Thou hast, &c. —ix. 6.

Thou, even Thou, art God alone,
Those countless worlds of Thine,
Those heavens, and heavenly spirits own
Our Maker is Divine!

226

The earth Thou hast Thy footstool made,
Great universal Lord,
And all things are in being stay'd
By Thy preserving word.

709. [Thee the angelic armies praise]

The host of heaven worshippeth Thee. —ix. 6.

Thee the angelic armies praise,
Those first-born sons of light,
But cannot look on Jesu's face,
And bear the dazzling sight;
Ranks upon ranks, they fall before
The all-abasing Name,
In silent ecstasy to' adore
The glories of the Lamb!

710. [Thy people in the wilderness]

Yet Thou in Thy manifold mercies, &c. —ix. 19.

Thy people in the wilderness,
We are not yet forsook,
But kept and nourish'd by Thy grace,
And follow'd by our Rock;
For forty long rebellious years
We have Thy patience tried,
Yet still the cloud and fire appears,
And still Thou art our Guide.

O how shall we Thy grace record,
With equal praise commend
The goodness of our patient Lord,
And mercies without end!
Us to that better Canaan bring,
That land of rest above,
And then we worthily shall sing
Thine everlasting love.

227

711. [The literal, outward house we love]

We will not forsake the house of our God. —x. 39.

The literal, outward house we love,
Where God vouchsafes to place His name,
Nor will we, Lord, from thence remove,
But jointly there Thy praise proclaim,
And daily to Thy courts repair,
And seek Thee in the house of prayer.

But O! the house of living stones
We never can neglect or leave,
That temple which the world disowns,
To that in life and death we cleave,
Through faith to every member join'd,
The church diffused through all mankind.

712. [What evil thing is this ye do]

What evil thing is this that ye do, &c. —xiii. 17.

What evil thing is this ye do,
Who God's peculiar day profane,
Your calling's common works pursue,
Your journeys, sports, or pleasures vain?
Ye buy—the curse of God! Ye sell—
Your souls to sin, the world, and hell!

713. [As due to my most righteous deed]

Remember me, O my God, concerning, &c. —xiii. 22.

As due to my most righteous deed
I no reward can claim,
But for Thy sparing mercy plead,
O God, in Jesu's name:
And if, my service to reward,
Thy grace can find a cause,
I'll cast my crown before the Lord,
Who bought it on His cross.

228

ESTHER.

714. [But no such rigid law we fear]

Whosoever shall come unto the king, &c. —iv. 11.

But no such rigid law we fear,
Who to the King of kings draw near,
Boldly approach His gracious throne,
And freely our requests make known:
Beyond the inner court we press,
Enter into the holiest place,
Sure to obtain the peace of God,
And all we ask, through Jesu's blood.

715. [Ye that in royal mansions live]

Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape, &c. —iv. 13.

Ye that in royal mansions live,
And Christ into your hearts receive,
Think not to serve your Saviour's cause,
Yet 'scape the scandal of His cross:
In Cæsar's house, to save your fame,
Ye must deny your Master's name,
Or bear, if Christ ye dare confess,
The mark of Jesu's witnesses.

716. [Though I am condemn'd to die]

If I perish, I perish. —iv. 16.

Though I am condemn'd to die,
Shall I not for mercy try?
If the fix'd decree is pass'd,
I can only die at last:
Prostrate now before my Lord,
Let me wait the fatal word,
Let me here my sentence meet,
Perish at His bleeding feet.

717. [Immortal King, with pity see]

The king held out to Esther the golden sceptre. —v. 2.

Immortal King, with pity see,
And hear a suppliant sinner groan,
Mercy extend to me, to me,
Who venturing on a God unknown,

229

Prostrate before Thy footstool lie,
And by Thy sentence live or die.

Thy sceptre of redeeming love
Reach out, my trembling soul to raise,
My dread of endless death remove,
To magnify Thy pardoning grace,
And make, in honour of Thy Son,
A beggar partner of Thy throne.

718. [Father, in Christ my Father, Thou]

Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. —v. 2.

Father, in Christ my Father, Thou
Dost sinners for His sake receive:
I touch Thy golden sceptre now,
Accept Thy pardoning grace, and live;
And trust, as I have favour found,
To rise, with all His glories crown'd.

719. [What profit hath the' ambitious man]

Yet all this availeth me nothing. —v. 13.

What profit hath the' ambitious man,
Of earthly goods possess'd?
Something he wants, but cannot gain,
Which cankers all the rest:
His canker'd all as nothing weighs;
And if the world be won,
He soon must go to his own place,
Eternally undone.

720. [How mean the gifts which earthly kings]

Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king, &c. —vi. 9.

How mean the gifts which earthly kings
On favourites bestow,
What childish toys the noblest things
And most esteem'd below!
But whom the King of kings delights
To honour as His son,
He to an heavenly feast invites,
And places on His throne.

230

721. [The wicked in that net is snared]

They hanged Haman on the gallows, &c. —vii. 10.

The wicked in that net is snared,
Which for the righteous he prepared,
To make the trembling heathen know
There is a God reigns below.

722. [All thanks to Heaven let Britain pay]

Seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking, &c. —x. 3.

All thanks to Heaven let Britain pay,
For kings to Britain sent,
Who bless us with their gracious sway,
And gentlest government;
Promote the public happiness
With fatherly delight,
And bid their children live in peace,
And serve our God aright!

JOB.

723. [No, thou malicious fiend!]

Doth Job fear God for nought? —i. 9.

No, thou malicious fiend!
I own my service bought:
So great a Lord, so kind a Friend,
I cannot fear for nought.

724. [Naked into the world I came]

Naked came I out of my mother's womb, &c. —i. 21.

Naked into the world I came,
Naked I out of it shall go,
And soon this perishable frame
With mother earth shall rest below:
But O! my soul, if born again,
With glory clothed upon shall rise,
A place among the saints obtain,
And find its Father in the skies.

231

725. [I cannot lose what is not mine]

The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, &c. —i. 21.

I cannot lose what is not mine,
I may to God restore His loan;
And cheerfully I would resign,
When justly He revokes His own:
Ah, give me, Lord, with all to part;
And when Thou dost my soul require,
To bless Thee for a broken heart,
And calmly in Thine arms expire.

726. [Urged by the world and Satan I]

Curse God and die. —ii. 9.

Urged by the world and Satan I
In pain to curse my God and die,
To the abhorr'd temptation give
No place; but bless my God, and live.

727. [Patiently received from Thee]

Shall we receive good at the hand of God, &c. —ii. 10.

Patiently received from Thee,
Evil cannot evil be:
Evil is by evil heal'd;
Evil is but good conceal'd,
And through the virtue of Thy blood
Shall turn to our eternal good.

728. [Impatient of a Father's rod]

Job cursed his day. —iii. 1.

Impatient of a Father's rod,
In gloomy, discontented pain,
No more I quarrel with my God,
Of life ungratefully complain;
But humbled in the dust, approve
The kind design of heavenly love.

Bless'd be the day that I was born
A candidate for endless bliss!
If to my latest hour I mourn,
Yet will I praise my God for this,

232

Bear up beneath a weight of clay,
And triumph in my natal day.

729. [Leaving myself behind]

There the weary be at rest. —iii. 17.

Leaving myself behind
For that confirm'd repose,
I shall a long oblivion find
Of life and all its woes:
Rest after toil how sweet
When in Thine arms I prove,
Then, only then, I shall forget
That I have grieved Thy love.

730. [To teach the wretched man]

Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery? —iii. 20.

To teach the wretched man,
From whence his miseries flow,
Discover sin the source of pain,
The cause of all our woe;
To show his soul's disease,
Suppress his murmuring sighs,
And fit him for internal peace,
And life that never dies.

O for that gracious power,
My load of life to bear,
And watch for the appointed hour,
With never-slackening care!
Thy glorious house above,
Father, I fain would see;
But how Thou wilt my soul remove,
And when, I leave to Thee.

O may I thus resign'd,
In every change and state,
The counsels of my Father's mind
With perfect patience wait,

233

Thy welcome will receive,
Alike indifferent I,
Or in the griefs of life to live,
Or in the joys to die.

731. [Why should I seek what cannot save?]

Which long for death; which rejoice, &c. —iii. 21, 22.

Why should I seek what cannot save?
I have no joy to find a grave,
Unless, before I hence depart,
I find a Saviour in my heart:
Then would I gladly die to see
The Man who lay so low for me,
Out of His tomb secure to rise,
And follow Jesus to the skies.

732. [And shall we in ourselves confide]

Behold, He put no trust in His servants, &c. —iv. 18.

And shall we in ourselves confide,
Our wisdom, or our perfect grace,
When angels tremble to abide
The test, and fall before His face,
Who flaws in purest spirits sees,
And marks celestial blemishes?

The creature fails, if Thou art near,
The brightest day is central night,
The morning stars no more appear,
The sun is darkness in Thy sight,
The perfect their perfection see
Absorb'd in Thy immensity.

733. [How happy the sorrowful man]

Happy is the man whom God correcteth. —v. 17.

How happy the sorrowful man,
Whose sorrow is sent from above!
Indulged with a visit of pain,
Chastised by omnipotent love,

234

The Author of all his distress
He comes by affliction to know,
And God he in heaven shall bless,
That ever he suffer'd below.

Thus, thus may I happily grieve,
And hear the intent of His rod,
The marks of adoption receive,
The strokes of a merciful God,
With nearer access to His throne
My burden of folly confess,
The cause of my miseries own,
And cry for an answer of peace.

O Father of mercies, on me,
On me in affliction bestow,
A power of applying to Thee,
A sanctified use of my woe:
I would, in a spirit of prayer,
To all Thy appointments submit,
The pledge of my happiness bear,
And joyfully die at Thy feet.

Then, Father, and never till then,
I all the felicity prove
Of living a moment in pain,
Of dying in Jesus's love.
A sufferer here with my Lord,
With Jesus above I sit down,
Receive an eternal reward,
And glory obtain in a crown.

734. [Smitten by Thee my heart is sore]

He maketh sore, and bindeth up: He woundeth, &c. —v. 18.

Smitten by Thee my heart is sore;
Jesus, show Thy sovereign power,
And bind it up again:

235

Thy wrath hath made the painful wound,
But in Thy bleeding hands is found
The balm that heals my pain.

This anguish of a wounded soul
(Till Thy love hath made me whole)
O how shall I endure?
Now, Lord, with pardoning grace begin,
And bring Thy heavenly nature in
To work a perfect cure.

735. [Why should I doubt His love at last]

He shall deliver thee in six troubles, &c. —v. 19.

Why should I doubt His love at last,
With anxious thoughts perplex'd?
Who saved me in the troubles pass'd,
Will save me in the next;
Will save, till at my latest hour,
With more than conquest bless'd,
I soar beyond temptation's power,
To my Redeemer's breast.

736. [No; I would not always live]

I would not live alway. —vii. 16.

No; I would not always live,
Always sin, repent, and grieve,
Always in my dungeon groan,
Always serve a God unknown:
Or if Thou appear'st to me,
Darkly through a glass I see,
Know in part, and deeper mourn,
Till I to Thy arms return.

Pardon'd, still for sin I grieve,
Never can myself forgive;
Weeping, though my heart were pure
Would I to the end endure,

236

Still lament, and daily die,
Till my Saviour from the sky
Wipe the gracious tears away,
Bear me to eternal day.

737. [By secret influence from above]

Thou triest man every moment. —vii. 17, 18.

By secret influence from above,
Me Thou dost every moment prove
And labour to convert;
Ready to save I feel Thee nigh,
And still I hear Thy Spirit cry,
My son, give Me thy heart.

Why do I not the call obey,
Cast my besetting sin away,
With every useless load?
Why cannot I this moment give
The heart Thou waitest to receive,
And love my loving God?

My loving God, the hindrance show,
Which nature dreads, alas! to know,
And lingers to remove;
Stronger than sin, Thy grace exert,
And seize, and change, and fill my heart
With all the powers of love.

Then shall I answer Thy design,
No longer, Lord, my own, but Thine;
Till all Thy will be done,
Humbly I pass my trial here,
And ripe in holiness appear,
With boldness at Thy throne.

738. [God of all power, and truth, and love]

Why dost Thou not pardon my transgression? —vii. 21.

God of all power, and truth, and love,
Why dost Thou not my sin forgive,

237

While yet I may Thy mercy prove,
While yet I in the body live?
A moment sinks me into dust,
A moment ends my course below,
And then, inexorably just,
Thou never canst Thy mercy show.

What can I say, what can I do
But humbly still for mercy sue,
Persisting in the sinner's plea,
My God, be merciful to me!
I use the humble words in vain,
Unless the penitential pain,
Jesus, Thy pitying eye impart,
And cast the look that breaks my heart.

739. [No, not if all the saints could join]

Whom, though I were righteous, &c. —ix. 15.

No, not if all the saints could join
To make their works and merits mine,
Summon'd before the Judge, would I
Not guilty to His charge reply,
Or stand by any other plea,
Than—God be merciful to me!

Yet conscious of my guilt I dare
Appear at Thy tremendous bar,
Unworthy to behold Thy face,
I humbly sue for pardoning grace,
And boldly now approach Thy throne,
Confiding in Thy righteous Son.

740. [Doth the great God, and Judge severe]

If I had called, and He had answered me, &c. —ix. 16.

Doth the great God, and Judge severe,
Vile, rebellious sinners hear?
Alas, how should it be?

238

If me this moment He forgive,
I never, never can believe
That God hath answer'd me.

My feeble ineffectual cry,
Can it pass beyond the sky,
And reach the ear of God?
No: but in mine He must attend
The voice of my all-powerful Friend,
The cry of Jesu's blood.

741. [Though all the precious promises]

If I say, I am perfect, mine own mouth, &c. —ix. 20.

Though all the precious promises
I find fulfill'd in Jesu's love,
If perfect I myself profess,
My own profession I disprove:
The purest saint that lives below
Doth his own sanctity disclaim,
The wisest owns, I nothing know,
The holiest cries, I nothing am!

742. [Perfect if I were indeed]

Though I were perfect, yet would I not know, &c. —ix. 21.

Perfect if I were indeed,
My own state I would not know,
Would not innocency plead,
Though my soul were white as snow;
Would not in myself delight,
Nothing still in my own sight.

Still, whene'er in love renew'd
I retain my poverty,
Glory in the pardoning God:
What I am, I am to Thee;
Small and vile in my own eyes,
Lord, I still my life despise.

239

All my life of grace is Thine,
All my faith is but a grain;
All my goodness is Divine,
Flowing to its Source again,
Mingled with the crystal sea,
Lost in Thy immensity.

743. [Shall man direct the sovereign God]

If the scourge slay suddenly, He will laugh, &c. —ix. 23.

Shall man direct the sovereign God,
Say, “He cannot use His rod
But for some fresh offence?
From saints He never hides His face,
Or suddenly their comfort slays,
To prove their innocence.”

Nay, but He casts the righteous down,
Seems on His beloved to frown;
Yet smiles their fears to see:
He hears the oft-repeated cry,
“Why, O my God, my Father, why
Hast Thou forsaken me?”

Then let the patient, perfect man
His integrity maintain;
But not before his God:
The Lord may crush a sinless saint,
As once He left His Son to faint,
And die beneath His load.

True. J.W.

No. J.W.

No parallel case. J.W.

744. [But we a mighty Daysman know]

Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, &c. —ix. 33.

But we a mighty Daysman know,
By love Divine to sinners given,
The Lord of all who dwelt below,
And mediates betwixt earth and heaven

240

Of both the nature He partakes,
United in Himself alone,
An end of all the difference makes,
For God and man in Christ are one.

Thou, Jesus, Thou that Umpire art,
Whose hand on man and God is laid:
Assure a trembling sinner's heart,
My sin is purged, my peace is made:
Thou who hast apprehended me,
Give me Thyself to apprehend:
My peace, my sole perfection be,
My present and eternal Friend.

745. [Cut me not off, almighty Lord]

I will say unto God, Do not condemn me. —x. 2.

Cut me not off, almighty Lord,
But use Thy rod, and not Thy sword;
The cross no longer I decline,
But save me from the curse Divine;
Let sorrow break this wretched heart,
Let pain my soul and body part,
But suffer not my soul to be
For ever separated from Thee.

746. [Why dost Thou this affliction send]

Shew me wherefore Thou contendest with me. —x. 2.

Why dost Thou this affliction send,
Why with a feeble worm contend?
Unneeded pain Thou canst not give,
Or causelessly Thy children grieve:
Father, in kind compassion show
What means this providential blow:
O may I here Thy mercy see,
And all the good design'd for me.

241

747. [Why am I, Lord, at life's sad close]

These things hast Thou hid in Thine heart, &c. —x. 13.

Why am I, Lord, at life's sad close
Unsaved, unhappy, and unclean,
Abandon'd to my inbred foes,
O'erwhelm'd with wretchedness and sin,
A mystery to myself am I,
Nor can into Thy counsel pry:

I know not what my God hath will'd,
To save, or finally depart;
The deep design is still conceal'd,
The love or anger in Thy heart;
Inexplicably dark to me;
But known are all Thy works to Thee.

748. [Who make to heaven your bold appeal]

Oh that God would speak, and open His lips against thee. —xi. 5.

Who make to heaven your bold appeal,
Most forward to prejudge your foes,
The thunder of the' Almighty deal,
Or send to hell whoe'er oppose,
Judge not by this fallacious sign
That all assurance is Divine.

Silence when the Almighty broke,
He answer'd for the sentenced man,
Against his hasty judges spoke;
That ye might humbling wisdom gain,
Might each his censuring blindness own,
And judgment leave to God alone.

749. [Yes; though Thou fill my flesh with pain]

God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth. —xi. 6.

Yes; though Thou fill my flesh with pain,
With bitterness my cup,
And let me in my sins remain,
To fill the measure up;

242

I must Thy righteousness declare,
Whate'er on earth I feel,
And less than my deserts I bear,
Who am not yet in hell.

750. [Shall foolish, weak, short-sighted man]

Canst thou by searching find out God? &c. —xi. 7.

Shall foolish, weak, short-sighted man
Beyond archangels go,
The great almighty God explain,
Or to perfection know?
His attributes divinely soar
Above the creatures' sight,
And prostrate seraphim adore
The glorious Infinite.

Jehovah's everlasting days
They cannot number'd be,
Incomprehensible the space
Of Thine immensity;
Thy wisdom's depths by reason's line
In vain we strive to sound,
Or stretch our labouring thought to' assign
Omnipotence a bound.

The brightness of Thy glories leaves
Description far below;
Nor man, nor angels' heart conceives
How deep Thy mercies flow:
Thy love is most unsearchable,
And dazzles all above;
They gaze, but cannot count or tell
The treasures of Thy love!

243

751. [Howe'er in humble words we all]

No doubt but ye are the people, &c. —xii. 2.

Howe'er in humble words we all
Infallibility disclaim,
Yet every church and party call
Themselves, the consort of the Lamb!
“In us the saints, the people see,
The temple of the Lord are we!

“We are the men, mankind must own,
Who faith and purity possess,
Christ is with us, and us alone,”
A thousand jarring sects profess,
And all the Babel-builders cry,
“Wisdom and truth with us shall die.”

752. [Shut up in unbelief I groan]

He shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening. —xii. 14.

Shut up in unbelief I groan,
Fast bound in misery:
What miracle of power unknown
Can set the captive free?
He only can release and save,
(Throughout my soul I feel,)
Who forced the barriers of the grave,
And burst the gates of hell.

753. [The crafty manages the fool]

The deceived and the deceiver are His. —xii. 16.

The crafty manages the fool,
The tame unthinking crowd,
He makes the simple one his tool;
But both are tools to God:
Their folly and their craft He blends,
Whate'er themselves design,
And bids them blindly serve the ends
Of providence Divine.

244

What have His servants then to fear
Who bear Jehovah's seal,
Though thorns and briars are with us here,
And we with scorpions dwell?
His love omnipotent we sing,
Who doth the world restrain,
Rejoicing that the Lord is king,
And shall for ever reign.

754. [And let my body languish]

Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him. —xiii. 15.

And let my body languish,
(So He my soul redeem,)
Or fail through mortal anguish,
Yet will I trust in Him:
Destruction as a blessing
At Jesu's hands I meet,
And calmly die embracing
My dear Destroyer's feet!

755. [Why dost Thou, Lord, conceal Thy face]

Wherefore hidest Thou Thy face, and holdest, &c. —xiii. 24.

Why dost Thou, Lord, conceal Thy face,
Withhold the joyous sense of grace,
And reckon me Thy foe?
If sin provokes Thee to depart,
And keeps Thy presence from my heart,
The secret evil show.

Still I inquire and weep, and pray;
Thy comforts dost Thou take away,
To punish, or to prove?
I wait Thy mind to comprehend,
I long to answer all the end
Of Thy mysterious love.

245

756. [Still wilt Thou put a worm to grief]

Wilt Thou break a leaf driven to and fro? &c. —xiii. 25.

Still wilt Thou put a worm to grief,
The stubble dry, the wither'd leaf
Pursue, and break in me?
What honour can Thy greatness gain
By crushing a weak child of man,
Who cannot strive with Thee?

757. ['Gainst me Thou writest bitter things]

Thou writest bitter things against me. —xiii. 26.

'Gainst me Thou writest bitter things,
Thy rod the high indictment brings;
My flesh Thine arrows tear:
Thy terrors in my soul I feel,
They drive me to the verge of hell,
The confines of despair.

758. [Thou call'st my former sins to mind]

Thou makest me to possess the iniquities, &c. —xiii. 26.

Thou call'st my former sins to mind:
Sins of my heedless youth I find
In all their strength return,
Again my trembling heart they seize;
My life, my nature's wickedness,
With heighten'd grief I mourn.

O could I more than feebly hope,
Thou castest down to lift me up,
Thou dost in mercy send
These painful tokens of Thy love,
To purge, to humble, and to prove,
And bless me in my end!

759. [Man, born of a woman impure]

Man that is born of a woman is of few days, &c. —xiv. 1, 2.

Man, born of a woman impure,
To trouble and misery born,
Not meant upon earth to endure,
Must soon to corruption return:

246

Cut down as a flourishing flower,
He fades, as a shadow he flies,
His beauty is gone in an hour;
He blooms for a moment, and dies.

760. [Not one of all our fallen race]

Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? &c. —xiv. 4.

Not one of all our fallen race
Can cleanse himself from sin,
Yet I who trust the God of grace,
Shall at His word be clean:
All things are possible to Thee
Whose promises are sure,
And I a creature new shall be,
And pure as Thou art pure.

761. [Not one of all our sinful race]

Not one of all our sinful race
Himself can sanctify,
But in the efficacious grace
Of Jesus, I rely;
The virtue of Thy hallowing blood,
Almighty to convert,
Shall make the vilest sinner good,
And change the foulest heart.

The foulest heart that ever beat,
I offer up to Thee:
Enter, and make it, Lord, the seat
Of peace and purity;
Most holy God, Thyself reveal,
My nature to remove,
My body, soul, and spirit to fill
With all Thy heavenly love.

247

762. [Not one of our polluted race]

Not one of our polluted race,
Not one of the angelic kind,
Can man's ingratitude efface,
Or change the filthy, carnal mind:
Such power belongs to Him alone,
Who heal'd the leper at His feet;
He can in me His grace make known,
He can the cleansing word repeat.

My hope of spotless righteousness
I build on His omnipotence;
He now my prostrate spirit sees,
He soon my evil heart shall cleanse;
Confiding in His gracious will,
Who did for me His life resign,
I wait the sovereign touch to feel,
I catch the purity Divine.

763. [Throughout my fallen soul I own]

Throughout my fallen soul I own
Such power belongs to Thee alone,
Thou slaughter'd Lamb of God,
Who didst for foulest sinners die,
Us to redeem and sanctify,
Through Thy all-cleansing blood.

That blood Divine, so freely spilt,
To purge the universal guilt,
Can make an end of sin,
Wash all these filthy thoughts away,
A fountain in my nature stay,
And keep me pure within.

My nature, Lord, is foul as hell,
Till Thou Thy spotless love reveal,
Thy purity impart:

248

Forgive the sins which I confess,
And cleanse from all unrighteousness,
By dwelling in my heart.

Then, when Thou dost possess me whole,
And make my body, spirit, soul
A temple worthy Thee,
Thou wilt Thy sacred house maintain,
Nor shall an earthly thought or vain
One moment lodge in me.

764. [Jesus, Thy power I dare confess]

Jesus, Thy power I dare confess,
Out of this most polluted thing,
This sink of sin and wickedness,
Thou canst an holy creature bring;
Omnipotent to save, Thou art,
Thou canst effect a perfect cure,
And throughly cleanse my sinful heart,
And make my inmost nature pure.

Through unbelief I stagger not,
Ascribing Thy own power to Thee
Till Thou the work of faith hast wrought,
And all Thy will fulfill'd in me;
Thy blood shall wholly sanctify,
The deep original stain erase,
And speak me up beyond the sky,
To see my Saviour face to face.

765. [Not one of all mankind]

Not one of all mankind
Can his own soul convert,
Correct a will to sin inclined,
Or change an evil heart:

249

This fleshly filthiness
We never can remove,
Earthly expel, and fill the place
With pure, celestial love.

This filthiness of pride
Mocks all our efforts vain;
The plague we from each other hide
Will in our hearts remain;
Corruption's fountain spreads
Throughout our lives unclean;
Defiles our thoughts, and words, and deeds,
Till all we are is sin.

Who but the' Almighty can
The work of wonders do,
Efface our dire, original stain,
Or form our spirit new?
What but the blood Divine
Which did for sinners flow,
Can purge so foul an heart as mine,
And wash me white as snow?

Omnipotent to save,
I trust my Lord, my God,
And rise with confidence to lave
My nature in Thy blood:
Thy blood, by faith applied,
Shall speak my pardon sure,
And make my soul Thy spotless bride
And keep me always pure.

This is that holiness,
That sinless purity,
Which saints in Thee alone possess,
When all possess'd by Thee.

250

Sinking, to this I rise,
And lost in Jesus, prove,
Thou art my calling's highest prize,
Thou art my perfect Love.

766. [Not one of all the sons of men]

Not one of all the sons of men,
Not one of all the angelic train
The mighty wonder can perform,
Or purify a sinful worm,
But whom the God supreme I own,
Such power belongs to Christ alone.

Thou canst a clean and holy thing
Out of a filthy sinner bring,
Make through the virtue of Thy name
Me the reverse of what I am,
Created after God anew
A spotless saint, a Christian true.

But betwixt hope and sad despair,
Till Thou Thy secret will declare,
Till Thou Thy hallowing blood apply,
Self-loathing at Thy feet I lie;
And if Thy tender mercies fail,
Foul as the fiends, I sink to hell.

Uncertain what my end shall be,
I leave my desperate cause to Thee,
For ever banish'd from Thy face
If justice triumphs over grace,
If grace prevails, I rise forgiven,
And pure in heart, return to heaven.

767. [Hide me in my Saviour's grave]

O that Thou wouldest hide me in the grave, &c. —xiv. 13, 14.

Hide me in my Saviour's grave,
Till Thy wrath is all o'erpass'd:

251

Now appoint a time to save,
Think on me for good at last,
Brought out of Thy secret place
Pure in heart to see Thy face.

For this only thing I wait,
Wait with vehement patient hope,
Raised to my unsinning state
Till I after God wake up,
Glorious in Thine image shine,
Fill'd with life and love Divine.

768. [Summon'd to my heavenly home]

Thou shalt call, and I will answer Thee, &c. —xiv. 15.

Summon'd to my heavenly home
Then I shall with joy reply,
Answering to Thy call I come,
Gladly get me up and die,
Made, and bought by grace Divine,
Thine I am, for ever Thine.

Thou who dost my soul require,
Thou who hast my soul prepared,
Satisfy Thine own desire,
Bless me with Thine own reward;
Since Thou canst not rest alone,
Take me, take me to Thy throne.

769. [Fear of God before mine eyes]

Thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer, &c. —xv. 4.

Fear of God before mine eyes
Lifts to Him my praying heart;
But when I His fear despise,
From His footstool I depart;
When I lose my gracious care,
Only then I cease from prayer.

252

Father, to my heart appear
Pleased and smiling in Thy Son;
Conscious of Thy presence near,
Bow'd and humbled at Thy throne,
Then I in Thy sight shall stay,
Always fear, and always pray.

770. [Of woman born, of flesh alone]

What is man, that he should be clean? &c. —xv. 14.

Of woman born, of flesh alone,
Man must be filthy and unclean,
Draughts of iniquity drink down;
For all his heart and soul is sin:
But changed, and purified by grace,
A witness of the Spirit's power,
He sees his Saviour's smiling face,
And born of God, he sins no more.

771. [My mournful face is foul with tears]

My face is foul with weeping, &c. —xvi. 16.

My mournful face is foul with tears,
Till the Man of griefs appears,
And chases mine away;
The shade of death hangs o'er my eyes,
Till Thou the Sun of heaven arise,
To bring the gospel-day.

Thy visage marr'd to me reveal,
Marr'd with pangs unspeakable,
With sweat and tears and blood!
Thou Light of Life eternal shine,
And through that mangled form of Thine
I see my Lord, my God!

772. [I wait a few sorrowful years]

When a few years are come, then I shall go, &c. —xvi. 22.

I wait a few sorrowful years,
And then I no longer shall mourn,
But flee from the valley of tears
A way I shall never return:

253

From earth I shall quickly remove
To sure everlasting abodes,
And sing with the spirits above,
And triumph with angels and gods.

773. [My days are extinguish'd and gone]

My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, &c. —xvii. 1.

My days are extinguish'd and gone,
My time as a shadow is fled,
And gladly I lay myself down
To rest with the peaceable dead:
The dead ever-living attend,
Whose dust is all safe in the tomb,
And many a glorified friend
Is ready to welcome me home.

774. [My days are all vanish'd away]

My days are past, my purposes are broken off, &c. —xvii. 11.

My days are all vanish'd away,
Broke off the designs of my heart,
No longer on earth I delay,
Or linger, as loth to depart:
Resolved in my Lord to abide,
This purpose, I know, shall remain,
And trust to be found at His side,
And Jesus eternally gain.

775. [Ready for my earthen bed]

I have made my bed. —xvii. 13.

Ready for my earthen bed,
Let me rest my fainting head,
Welcome life's expected close,
Sink in permanent repose:
Jesu's blood to which I fly
Doth my conscience purify,
Signs my weary soul's release,
Bids me now depart in peace.

254

Thus do I my bed prepare;
O how soft, when Christ is there!
There my breathless Saviour laid
Turns it to a spicy bed:
Resting in His power to save,
Looking now beyond the grave,
Calm I lay my body down,
Rise to an immortal crown.

776. [My hope of creature-good I see]

Mine hope hath He removed like a tree. —xix. 10.

My hope of creature-good I see
Cut down, and wither'd, like a tree,
It never more on earth shall grow,
Or strike its root in things below:
But from the sand my Father's love
Doth to the Rock my hope remove,
Among the trees of paradise
To bloom eternal in the skies.

777. [I call the world's Redeemer mine]

I know that my Redeemer liveth, &c. —xix. 25–27.

I call the world's Redeemer mine:
He lives who died for me, I know,
Who bought my soul with blood Divine,
Jesus shall re-appear below,
Stand in that dreadful day unknown,
And fix on earth His heavenly throne.

Then the last judgment-day shall come,
And though the worms this skin devour,
The Judge shall call me from my tomb,
Shall bid the greedy grave restore,
And raise this individual me,
God in the flesh my God to see.

255

In this identic body I,
With eyes of flesh refined, restored,
Shall see that self-same Saviour nigh,
See for myself my smiling Lord,
See with ineffable delight,
Nor faint to bear the glorious sight.

Then let the worms demand their prey,
The greedy grave my reins consume,
With joy I drop my mouldering clay,
And rest till my Redeemer come,
On Christ my Life, in death rely,
Secure that I can never die.

778. [A living principle of grace]

The root of the matter is found in me. —xix. 28.

A living principle of grace
From hence our whole of goodness grows,
The reigning power of godliness
(Which Jesus with Himself bestows)
The faith in Christ, the hate of sin,
The love of God and man brought in.

Mere withering leaves is all beside:
But if my Lord abide in me,
But if I in my Lord abide,
I rise into a righteous tree,
Show forth the nature of the Root,
And yield at last the perfect fruit.

Come then, the true celestial Vine,
The Tree of life, the Root of grace,
Claim the wild olive-trees for Thine,
Spring up in all our ransom'd race,
And if conceal'd in all Thou art,
Be found this moment in my heart.

No. J.W.

256

779. [Who can the benefits explain]

What profit should we have, if we pray unto Him? —xxi. 15.

Who can the benefits explain
Which by the prayer of faith we gain?
Pardon and peace we first receive,
And power a sinless life to live;
The grace supreme, the Spirit of grace
Is shower'd on every soul that prays,
Fulness Divine with Christ is given,
And all in earth, and all in heaven.

780. [Whom God declares a perfect man]

Thou sayest, How doth God know? —xxii. 13.

Whom God declares a perfect man,
Whom God disdains not to commend,
Is censured as a wretch profane,
An atheist by his pious friend,
To show, how changeable and blind
The kindest, wisest of mankind.

781. [I want that pure acquaintance]

Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace. —xxii. 21.

I want that pure acquaintance
With Him, the pardoning God;
Thou Giver of repentance,
Increase my mournful load.
Pursue Thy controversy,
Nor suffer me to rest,
Till crying on for mercy,
I find it in Thy breast.

The Spirit of revelation,
Jesus, Thy gift I own;
Thy Father's kind compassion,
Thou only canst make known.
The Lamb for sinners dying,
Who turn'd His wrath aside,
Thou by Thy blood's applying,
Must speak Him pacified.

257

To me, by Thy own presence,
Thy smiling Father show,
The knowledge of His essence,
The' eternal life bestow:
This unbelieving nature,
This heart of stone remove,
And tell Thy ransom'd creature,
That God in Thee is love.

Then shall my soul recover
Its long-forgotten peace,
The' intestine war is over,
And all my troubles cease:
With joyful acclamation,
The heavenly port I gain,
The uttermost salvation,
And in Thy vision reign.

782. [Where but on yonder tree?]

O that I knew where I might find Him. —xxiii. 3.

Where but on yonder tree?
Or if too rich thou art,
Sink into poverty,
And find Him in thine heart.

783. [O where shall I wander to find]

O where shall I wander to find
Whom once I enjoy'd in my heart,
My Lord, ever loving and kind,
Till forced by my sin to depart,
He left me in darkness and pain;
Most wretched of all the lost race;
O what shall I do to regain
The light of His heavenly face!

258

Heavy-laden and weary I faint,
And longer I cannot pursue;
Unavailing is all my complaint
Till the Saviour His countenance show.
But the God of unspeakable love,
Whom I cannot discover or see,
The cloud He Himself shall remove,
And His mercy shall bring Him to me.

784. [Some angel tell me where to find]

Some angel tell me where to find
The Friend and Saviour of mankind,
The God who fills immensity,
Yet still conceals Himself from me!
O could I my Redeemer know
I never more would let Him go,
Would never from His presence move,
But lose myself in Him I love.

In vain for Him, my heart's Desire,
Of men or angels I inquire;
The heavenly Object of my care,
He only can Himself declare;
And if He hears a sinner groan,
Lamenting for the God unknown,
And if His answering bowels sound,
He must at last by me be found.

Thou hidden God, unsearchable,
Whose absence I this moment feel,
For whom I every moment grieve,
For whom alone I wish to live;
If with me unperceived Thou art,
Break in on this poor wretched heart,
And give me eyes of faith to see
My Lord, my God, reveal'd in me.

259

785. [O that I knew the way to find]

O that I knew the way to find
That Saviour of our sinful kind,
That Friend of misery!
Who left His blissful realms above,
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And died to ransom me!

He bids me seek Him in the word,
I search the records of my Lord,
But cannot find Him there;
I ask, nor yet my suit obtain,
I knock at mercy's door in vain,
And sink in sad despair.

Stirr'd up once more—what can I do
But still the labour lost renew,
The fruitless task repeat:
And if He can Himself deny,
And if I must unpitied die,
I'll perish at His feet!

786. [Try me then, and try me still]

When He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. —xxiii. 10.

Try me then, and try me still
In the furnace of distress,
By my own, and others' ill,
By the hidings of Thy face;
Yet will I the promise hold
Which Jesus to my heart hath told,
I shall at last come forth as gold.

787. [Troubled by the' Almighty I]

God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty, &c. —xxiii. 16.

Troubled by the' Almighty I
From the fiery furnace cry,
Melted down at last I am,
Soft as wax before the flame:

260

Now the form Divine impress,
True, substantial holiness;
Jesus, Thou that image art,
Seal Thy name upon my heart.

788. [Be it my only wisdom here]

Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, &c. —xxviii. 28.

Be it my only wisdom here
To serve the Lord with filial fear,
With loving gratitude;
Superior sense may I display
By shunning every evil way,
And walking in the good.

O may I still from sin depart;
A wise and understanding heart,
Jesus, to me be given,
And let me through Thy Spirit know
To glorify my God below,
And find my way to heaven.

789. [O that I were as in the days]

Oh that I were as in months past, &c. —xxix. 2–6.

O that I were as in the days
When first enlighten'd from above
I felt the tokens of His grace,
And triumph'd in my Saviour's love!
Kept by omnipotence Divine,
His heavenly comforts I received,
I saw His glorious presence shine,
I saw His smiling face, and lived.

Led by His light, I dared pursue
My way through hidden snares unknown;
The secret of the Lord I knew,
And dwelt secure with God alone;

261

I ranged throughout the happy land,
Where streams of milk and honey flow'd:
Rivers of oil at His command
Pour'd from the Rock; and all was God!

790. [Thou Man of affliction and love]

I chose out their way, and sat chief, &c. —xxix. 25.

Thou Man of affliction and love,
All power and dominion is Thine:
Thy throne is establish'd above,
Thy throne upon earth is Divine:
Thy word with authority give,
Prescribe to Thy people their way:
Thy law we attend to receive,
And cheerfully bow to Thy sway.

Thy sway among men to maintain,
Compassion and righteousness meet;
Thy reign is a peaceable reign,
Thy seat is a merciful seat!
Great King in an army of saints,
The Friend of affliction Thou art,
The life of a sinner that faints,
The joy of my comforted heart.

791. [Chastised and afflicted below]

Howbeit He will not stretch out His hand, &c. —xxx. 24.

Chastised and afflicted below,
A sinner I cannot complain,
But pass through the valley of woe,
And stoop to my burden of pain:
And here if my judgment I have,
His anger He will not extend,
But lay me to rest in my grave
With mercy that never shall end.

262

792. [How shall I keep the promise, how]

I made a covenant with mine eyes. —xxxi. 1.

How shall I keep the promise, how
The covenant fulfil?
Great Witness of my secret vow,
Thy saving grace reveal:
Thy help continually afford,
Thy Spirit of faith and love,
And true to my redeeming Lord,
I never more shall rove.

Confiding in the promised power,
The truth of love Divine,
Mine eyes and heart I now restore,
Mine eyes and heart are Thine:
My ransom'd soul and body I
Into Thy keeping give,
And live entirely Thine and die,
For ever Thine to live.

793. [Lust is a fire that fiercely burns]

It is a fire that consumeth to destruction, &c. —xxxi. 12.

Lust is a fire that fiercely burns,
And sinners to destruction turns,
It ruins whom it first o'ercomes,
The body with the soul consumes,
It desolates the conscience foul,
Kindles God's wrath against the soul,
(Tremendous wrath implacable,)
And burns to the profoundest hell.

How shall a desperate slave of sin
Escape the hell that teems within,
Before the utmost judgment come,
Before the' eternal flames consume?

263

The pit its mouth hath open'd wide!
Plunge, sinner, in that crimson tide;
The fire of lust, the wrath of God
May now be quench'd by Jesu's blood.

794. [Salvation from the Lord]

Destruction from God was a terror to me. —xxxi. 23.

Salvation from the Lord
Our comfort we enjoy,
Yet still we tremble at His word
Who can the soul destroy:
The first unfallen man
Was with a threatening awed,
How then should we the love maintain
Without the fear of God?

795. [But as a beggar I]

As a prince would I go near unto Him. —xxxi. 37.

But as a beggar I
Not daring to draw nigh
Would at a distance stand,
Or sink beneath Thy hand,
Afraid Thy glorious eyes to meet,
And cry for mercy at Thy feet.

I now Thy grace implore,
And in the dust adore;
O for my Saviour's sake,
Up from the dunghill take,
Number'd among Thy princes own,
And raise the beggar to Thy throne.

796. [The guardian of an heart sincere]

He justified himself rather than God. —xxxii. 2.

The guardian of an heart sincere,
Firm in his own defence he stood,
More careful, more concern'd to clear
Himself, than vindicate his God,

264

Anxious to save his own from blame,
Regardless of Jehovah's name.

Instructed by his error, Lord,
Thee, only Thee we justify,
Thy will be done, Thy name adored;
Tried, to the utmost tried, we cry,
False, and unjust let all men be,
Justice and truth are still in Thee.

797. [The men whom God pronounces just]

The men whom God pronounces just,
Just may they not themselves esteem?
No; but as sinners still they must
All righteousness ascribe to Him,
And humbled into nothing own
Holy and good is God alone.

Murmuring that God should hide His face
For no offence or fault of mine,
I honour my own righteousness
Above the righteousness Divine,
And tacitly of God complain
As author of my causeless pain.

But O! I now with shame confess,
If chasten'd long as life shall last,
Thou dost not punish to excess
My pardon'd sins and follies pass'd:
Justice doth still to God belong;
The King of kings can do no wrong.

798. [The world may boast their knowledge vain]

The inspiration of the Almighty giveth man, &c. —xxxii. 8.

The world may boast their knowledge vain,
But what can human learning do?
The Spirit, whom we from God obtain,
The way to God alone can show;

265

The' Almighty's own immediate Breath
Wisdom and truth Divine imparts,
Expels the wisdom from beneath,
And fills with heaven our peaceful hearts.

Come, Jesus, come, my heart inspire,
Wisdom and Power of God, appear,
Kindle the pure celestial fire,
Be Thou my life eternal here;
The way, the truth, the life Divine
Each moment Thee I long to prove,
Each moment to receive of Thine,
Each moment feel, that God is love.

799. [How welcome to our fallen race]

I have found a ransom. —xxxiii. 24.

How welcome to our fallen race
The joyful dead-reviving sound,
When Jesus glories in His grace
“I have Myself a ransom found,
Myself the Purchaser and Price,
Myself the Priest and Sacrifice!”

So dear it cost for sin to' atone,
So dear immortal souls to buy!
But Thou hast laid the ransom down,
And God regards Thy dying cry,
“Father, redeem'd by blood Divine
I challenge all the world for Mine.”

800. [To the chastening God I pray]

He shall pray unto God and He will be, &c. —xxxiii. 26.

To the chastening God I pray,
Take the cause of pain away,
Favour to Thy suppliant show,
Loose my bonds and let me go,

266

Go the way my Saviour trod,
Go in perfect peace to God.

Comforter of all that mourn,
Into joy my sorrow turn,
Joy to taste Thy saving grace,
Joy to see Thy smiling face,
Joy to know my sins forgiven,
Joy to gain a glimpse of heaven.

801. [O Thou whose pitying eye]

He looketh upon men, and if any say, I, &c. —xxxiii. 27, 28.

O Thou whose pitying eye
Thy fallen creature sees,
Hear an afflicted sinner's cry,
Who now my sin confess:
Crush'd by its weight I am,
Its bitterness I feel,
And fill'd with fear, remorse, and shame,
Adjudge myself to hell.

Yet for Thy promise sake
Reverse my fearful doom,
And save me from that burning lake,
That endless wrath to come:
Made meet by hallowing grace,
O may I live to see
The glorious light of Jesu's face,
The God who died for me.

802. [“But shall I then through fear forbear]

Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? &c. —xxxiv. 18.

“But shall I then through fear forbear,
And evil in the greatest spare?
I must let loose my flaming zeal,
I must rebuke their crimes, and will!”

267

Your sin-detesting virtue show;
But first the time and manner know:
With censure of yourself begin,
Nor suffer vice to chasten sin.

Before another's mote you spy,
The beam cast out of your own eye,
The beam of zeal unsanctified,
The beam of self-preferring pride.

Arm'd with your Lord's authority,
When faults you in superiors see,
The seasons watch, and various ways
Of ministering His balmy grace.

Out of an humble heart and meek,
With fear and due submission speak,
Or with the eyes of Jesus look,
And dart the pitiful rebuke.

Will they not now your words receive?
Yet show them how they ought to live,
And sin in governors reprove
By modest grief and silent love.

803. [Jesu, Thou seest my troubled breast]

When He giveth quietness, who then can, &c. —xxxiv. 29.

Jesu, Thou seest my troubled breast;
Weary and faint, for lasting rest,
For Thee alone I pray:
O might I with my Lord receive
Peace which the world can never give,
Can never take away!

While banish'd from Thy blissful sight,
No glimpse of comfort or delight,
No ray of hope I see;

268

But cause on me Thy face to shine,
And glorious joy, and life Divine,
And heaven returns with Thee.

804. [A nation God delights to bless]

A nation God delights to bless
Can all our raging foes distress,
Or hurt whom they surround?
Hid from the general scourge we are,
Nor see the bloody waste of war,
Nor hear the trumpet's sound.

O might we, Lord, the grace improve,
By labouring for the rest of love,
The soul-composing power!
Bless us with Thine internal peace,
And all the fruits of righteousness,
Till time shall be no more.

805. [Chasten'd I all my days have been]

I have borne chastisement, I will not offend, &c. —xxxiv. 31.

Chasten'd I all my days have been,
And justly suffer'd for my sin,
But shall I still my God offend,
Till sin and life together end?
Father, I trust Thy faithful love
My sinful nature to remove,
Till fill'd with Christ, my life, my power,
I can abuse Thy grace no more.

806. [Teach me what I never can]

That which I see not teach Thou me. —xxxiv. 32.

Teach me what I never can
Without Thy instruction see;
Thou who know'st what is in man,
Show me, Lord, what is in me;

269

Depths of unbelief reveal,
Self and pride unsearchable.

Manifested by Thy light
That I may my darkness know,
Shine into my nature's night,
Night profound as that below;
Chase this gloom of hell away,
Shine unto the perfect day.

807. [Thou Giver of songs in the night]

God giveth songs in the night. —xxxv. 10.

Thou Giver of songs in the night,
Of joy in the darkest distress,
I sigh to recover Thy light,
I long for a glimpse of Thy face:
Ah, put the new song in my heart,
(For nothing on earth I desire,)
And lo, I exult to depart,
And mix with Thy heavenly choir.

808. [Fast bound with the fetters of woe]

If they be bound in fetters, and be, &c. —xxxvi. 8–10.

Fast bound with the fetters of woe,
By cords of affliction detain'd;
The gracious intention I know,
The secret of heaven explain'd:
My Father in mercy reproves,
Instructs me by sorrow and smart,
The veil by correction removes,
And shows me the ground of my heart.

Now, Lord, I arrested attend:
My countless offences make known,
My follies and sins without end,
Whate'er I of evil have done:

270

To Thee that I fully may turn,
The sin of my nature display,
And give me a spirit to mourn,
And give me an heart to obey.

809. [Surrounded, sunk in deepest night]

We cannot order our speech by reason of, &c. —xxxvii. 19.

Surrounded, sunk in deepest night,
To God how can I speak aright,
In order all my wants declare,
Or offer an accepted prayer?
Alas, I know not what to say,
I know not how to plead or pray,
Unless He hears His Spirit's groan,
And God replies, It is My Son!

With darkness palpable oppress'd,
Father, I would Thy grace request;
But what, and when, and how I leave,
And wait Thy time and way to give:
I neither speech nor utterance find,
But, Lord, Thou know'st Thy Spirit's mind,
Thou know'st my Surety on the tree,
And all He purchased there for me.

810. [Where is the just, unblemish'd man]

Behold, I am vile! —xl. 4.

Where is the just, unblemish'd man,
Who held his righteousness so fast?
Unable longer to maintain
The' unequal fight, he yields at last!
Jehovah to the creature shown
Confounds his boast and virtuous pride,
And now he knows that God alone
Is just, and vile are all beside.

271

811. [Great God, unknown, invisible]

Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer Thee? &c. —xl. 4.

Great God, unknown, invisible,
Appear, my confidence to' abase,
To make me all my vileness feel,
And blush at my own righteousness;
Thy glorious face in Christ display,
And silenced by Thy mercy's power,
My hand upon my mouth I lay,
And never boast, or murmur more.

812. [Of Thee, O Lord, I oft have heard]

I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear, &c. —xlii. 5.

Of Thee, O Lord, I oft have heard,
Of what Thine arm hath done,
And taught by man, I blindly fear'd,
And served a God unknown:
But when Thy presence in my heart
Doth unbelief remove,
I taste, and see how good Thou art,
Inspired by humble love.

813. [Appear, great God, appear to me]

Wherefore I abhor myself. —xlii. 6.

Appear, great God, appear to me,
That by myself abhorr'd,
Ashamed I may for ever be
Before my glorious Lord:
That only sight can pride abase,
Can force me to submit,
Which makes archangels veil their face,
And tremble at Thy feet.

814. [First, the great almighty Lord]

After the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, &c. —xlii. 7.

First, the great almighty Lord
Condemn'd his righteous pride,
Then the sinner self-abhorr'd
He cheer'd and justified,

272

Then the humbled worm He raised,
The sinner saved by grace alone,
Took His servant's part, and praised,
And claim'd him for His own.

Thus, almighty Lord, may I
Thine approbation gain,
Self-condemn'd, for mercy cry,
Till mercy I obtain:
Me of unbelief convince,
And then the guilty sinner clear,
Then reveal my pardon'd sins,
Eternal Comforter!

815. [Great God, we to Thy servant go]

Go to My servant Job, and offer a burnt-offering, &c. —xlii. 8.

Great God, we to Thy servant go
From whom Thou once didst hide Thy face:
He offer'd up Himself below,
A victim for our wretched race,
Thy righteous servant and Thy Son,
He died for all mankind to' atone.

To Him we fly, at Thy command,
Who on Himself our sins did take,
Our cause we put into His hand,
And Christ our Advocate we make:
Who at His death did intercede,
Doth now His death for sinners plead.

Us that His righteous Spirit grieved,
He kindly makes His constant care;
Our injured Friend on earth who lived,
Thou hear'st in heaven His ceaseless prayer,

273

Accept in Thy beloved Son,
And save us for His sake alone.

816. [When God, discover'd from above]

The Lord turned the captivity of Job, when, &c. —xlii. 10.

When God, discover'd from above,
Turns our captivity again,
Our hearts are melted into love
And prayer for those that caused our pain,
Fashion'd like His who mourn'd below,
And died a ransom for His foe.

O might I in the Spirit of grace
For all my persecutors cry,
My false injurious friends embrace,
While Jesus doth His blood apply,
To mine original state restore,
And give me power to sin no more!

817. [Are there, Saviour, can there be]

So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more, &c. —xlii. 12.

Are there, Saviour, can there be
Happy days reserved for me?
Child of sorrow from the womb,
Hoping, should I not presume?
After all my evils pass'd,
Good may I expect at last,
Cease on earth to sin and grieve,
See my God appeased, and live?

Jesus, if Thou dost intend
To bless me in my latter end,
Now Thy gracious mind declare,
Chide my sadness of despair;
If Thou dost not save me now,
Yet before my head I bow,

274

Speak into my troubled breast
The earnest of eternal rest.

818. [Let me well conclude my race]

So Job died, being old and full of days. —xlii. 17.

Let me well conclude my race
And reach the happy shore,
Full of a few mournful days,
O God, I ask no more:
Wisdom is the hoary hair;
Be this in youth or age bestow'd,
Calm the load of life I'll bear,
And glad return to God.

PSALMS.

819. [Object of Thy guardian care]

Early in the morning will I direct my prayer, &c. —v. 3.

Object of Thy guardian care,
Heavenward I direct my prayer,
Rock of my security,
Thankful I look up to Thee;
Bless'd with yet another day
Let me live my God to' obey,
Live Thine utmost will to prove,
Live to pray, repent, and love.

820. [Assisted by preventing grace]

In Thy fear will I worship toward Thy holy temple. —v. 7.

Assisted by preventing grace,
I bow me toward the holy place,
Faintly begin my God to fear,
His weak, external worshipper:

275

But if my Lord His blood apply,
Entering into the holiest I
Boldly approach my Father's throne,
And claim Him all in Christ my own.

821. [Save me, gracious Lord, for why?]

In Thee have I put my trust; save me. —vii. 1.

Save me, gracious Lord, for why?
I believe Thou canst, and wilt:
I on Thee alone rely;
Purge, and wash out all my guilt:
Thee for holiness I trust;
Make whom Thou accountest just:
Thou for me to heaven art gone;
Come, and take me to Thy throne.

822. [Misers, hear, by God abhorr'd]

The covetous God abhorreth. —x. 3.

Misers, hear, by God abhorr'd,
Tremble at the dreadful word,
While indulged with a reprieve,
Cursed, yet still on earth, ye live;
Hate, renounce the sin ye love,
Ere the Judge from earth remove,
Ere His wrath in hell ye bear,
Want a drop of water there.

823. [O that all the mournful nation]

O that the salvation of Israel, &c. —xiv. 7.

O that all the mournful nation
Might with me, Taste and see
Jesus's salvation!

O that all who would rely on
Jesu's love, Now might prove
Safety is in Sion!

Jesus from our sins shall save us,
He shall soon Claim His own,
He who bought will have us.

276

When He frees our souls from prison,
Love and joy Shall employ
All the gospel-season.

As a wide-extended river,
Israel's peace Shall increase,
Flow, and flow for ever.

824. [O that I could, in every place]

I have set God always before me, &c. —xvi. 9.

O that I could, in every place,
By faith behold Jehovah's face,
My strict Observer see;
Present my heart and reins to try,
And feel the influence of His eye
For ever fix'd on me!

Discerning Thee, my Saviour, stand
My Advocate at God's right hand,
I never shall remove;
I cannot fall, upheld by Thee,
Or sin against the majesty
Of omnipresent Love.

Now, Saviour, now appear, appear,
And let me always see Thee near,
And know as I am known:
My spirit to Thyself unite,
And bear me through a sea of light
To that eternal throne.

825. [Lord, if Thou let the sinner go]

Hold up my goings, in Thy paths, &c. —xvii. 5.

Lord, if Thou let the sinner go,
My old tyrannizing foe,
Will re-usurp the power.
Unless Thou every moment stay,
I sink insensible away,
I fall to rise no more.

277

But if by Thy sufficient grace,
Thou support me in Thy ways,
My footsteps shall not slide:
I shall my bosom-sin eschew,
And steadily through life pursue
Mine everlasting Guide.

826. [Hide me from the wrath of God]

Hide me. —xvii. 8.

Hide me from the wrath of God,
From the hell reveal'd within,
From the soul-afflicting load,
From the tyranny of sin:
Bear me to that land of rest,
Land of sweet forgetfulness,
Grant me, Lord, my one request,
Final, everlasting peace.

827. [Unlike my God I cannot rest]

When I awake up after Thy likeness, &c. —xvii. 16.

Unlike my God I cannot rest,
For sin is perfect misery:
But stamp Thine image on my breast,
Conform my hallow'd soul to Thee:
Partaker of Thine utmost grace
My soul would then be satisfied,
As Moses, when he saw Thy face,
And sunk into Thine arms, and died.

828. [The work of righteousness is peace]

In keeping of them there is great reward. —xix. 11.

The work of righteousness is peace;
The great reward's already given,
And all Thy servants, Lord, confess
Obedient love is present heaven.

278

829. [Throughout my fallen soul I feel]

Keep Thy servant from presumptuous sin. —xix. 13.

Throughout my fallen soul I feel
The want of purity and power;
I cannot my own lusts repel,
Or stand in fierce temptation's hour:
I must with every sin comply,
And, left by Thee, for ever die.

But O my kind, almighty Lord,
From every daring crime restrain,
A soul that hangs upon Thy word,
And knows, there is no help in man;
Thy strength in my infirmity,
Thy mercy manifest in me.

To keep me from presumptuous sin,
I trust Thy gracious love alone;
To make my heart and nature clean,
The virtue of Thy blood I own;
Each moment on Thy blood rely,
Till saved it speaks me to the sky.

830. [Can reason save from passion's power]

Can reason save from passion's power,
Or keep us in the' unguarded hour?
The moral sense in conscious man
Or virtue of itself, restrain?
The dread of shame, or grief, or hell,
Can these the tempting lust repel?
Their impotence too well I know,
And sink before my stronger foe.

To save from sin, convinced I own,
The power belongs to Christ alone:
Yet till my sprinkled heart believes,
No help the bare conviction gives:

279

No vows the stubborn pulse can bind:
No succour in the means I find,
In tears that ceaseless flow in vain,
Sad fountain of eternal pain.

It must, O Lord, proceed from Thee
The virtue pure that rescues me:
Thou only canst a sinner part
From sin, and turn and wash my heart;
The virtue from Thy wounds doth flow,
Which none but true believers know
Who glory in a pardoning God,
And feel redemption in Thy blood.

Fain would I to that fountain fly,
Fain would I on Thy cross rely;
A wretched, weak, entangled thing,
To Thee my last distress I bring;
But nought to move Thy grace I have;
Thy heart must find the cause to save,
Or leave a soul to deathless pain,
For whom Thyself hast died in vain.

If justice stern reject my prayer,
My righteous doom in hell I bear;
If mercy graciously forgive,
Pardon I in the dust receive;
The pardon brings preserving power,
It bids me go, and sin no more;
The joy my strength and safety is,
And ripens into glorious bliss.

Believing now in Jesu's name,
Kept by the power of God I am;
Untorn amidst the lions' teeth,
Immortal in the jaws of death;

280

Superior o'er the floods I ride,
Unburn'd I in the flames abide,
Till Jesus on the clouds comes down,
And brings Himself, the victor's crown.

831. [Thy servant if I am indeed]

Thy servant if I am indeed,
Redeem'd by blood Divine,
From sin, the world, and Satan freed,
Preserve me ever Thine:
From wilful, known, presumptuous sins,
Thou only canst defend,
Exalted to be Israel's Prince,
And Saviour to the end.

My treacherous heart will turn again
To its own wickedness,
Unless Thou constantly restrain,
And rule it by Thy grace:
But if Thou keep me day and night,
I shall transgress no more,
But blameless walk as in Thy sight,
Or at Thy feet adore.

832. [Trouble and sin are hard at hand]

O go not from me, for trouble is hard at hand. —xxii. 11.

Trouble and sin are hard at hand,
Alas, too intimately near!
I cannot in temptation stand,
Unless my God is always here,
Unless my Saviour stands between;
Parted one moment from Thy power
I fall into my bosom-sin,
And left by Thee, should rise no more.

281

833. [My Shepherd found His wandering sheep]

The Lord is my shepherd. —xxiii. 1.

My Shepherd found His wandering sheep
Even to the brink of Tophet driven:
He now among His flock shall keep,
And guide me to His fold in heaven.

834. [Bear me to the sacred scene]

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, &c. —xxiii. 2.

Bear me to the sacred scene,
The silent streams and pastures green!
Where the crystal waters shine,
Springing up with life Divine!
Where the flock of Israel feed,
Guided by their Shepherd's tread,
And every sheep delights to hide
Under the tree where Jesus died!

835. [Make me, Saviour, as Thou art]

Them that are meek shall He guide in judgment. —xxv. 8.

Make me, Saviour, as Thou art,
Poor in spirit, meek in heart;
Then Thou wilt persist to save,
Still uphold me on the wave,
Safely steer through life's rough sea
To my heavenly port in Thee.

836. [Lord, to Thee I lift mine eyes]

Mine eyes are ever looking unto the Lord, &c. —xxv. 14.

Lord, to Thee I lift mine eyes,
Ever lift mine eyes to Thee,
Till Thine answer from the skies
Sets my heart at liberty;
Pluck my soul out of the snare,
Then I all Thy truth shall prove,
All Thy saving power declare,
All Thy sanctifying love.

282

837. [Wretched as sin can make]

Look upon mine adversity and misery, &c. —xxv. 17.

Wretched as sin can make
A soul not yet in hell,
I cry, for Thy own sake
My fearful doom repeal:
Look on my misery,
Thou God of pardoning love;
Extend Thy grace to me,
And all my guilt remove.

My sin and wretchedness
Permit me to declare,
My trouble in excess,
My sadness of despair:
Unfit on earth to breathe,
The sentence I receive
Of everlasting death—
And therefore, Lord, forgive.

838. [Jesus, with pitying eye]

Jesus, with pitying eye
Regard Thy creature's pain:
Out of the deep to Thee I cry
A wretched sinful man:
This is mine only plea,
I am not fit to live,
I am all sin and misery,
And therefore, Lord, forgive.

839. [O shut not up my soul within]

O shut not up my soul with the sinners. —xxvi. 9.

O shut not up my soul within
The evil world and tempter's power,
To the dark dungeon of my sin
Permit me to return no more,
Rather, my God, by killing save,
And hide me guiltless in the grave.

283

840. [I would attend Thy leisure]

O tarry thou the Lord's leisure, &c. —xxvii. 16.

I would attend Thy leisure,
Nor name a time for Thee,
Assured that Thy good pleasure
Shall make me truly free:
But give me strength to bear
Whate'er Thy love ordains;
And wrestle on in prayer,
While pride and self remains.

Arm'd with Thy patient Spirit
I stand the fiery hour;
Take up my cross, and bear it,
Through Thy supporting power;
Mighty in supplication,
In faith, and in the word,
To see that great salvation
I wait upon the Lord.

After I have attended,
And suffer'd out Thy will,
After my work is ended,
I shall Thy promise feel:
Into my heart returning
With all Thy purity,
To end my sin and mourning,
Thyself wilt comfort me.

Thou in the time appointed
Wilt settled peace bestow;
And by Thy grace anointed,
Thy hallowing will I know.
The thing my soul requires
I in Thy presence prove,
And all my vast desires
Fulfill'd by perfect love.

284

Up to my Saviour given,
I live for God alone;
My steady course and even
With glorious freedom run;
Nor life, nor death can sever,
When I my all resign,
And trust in Thee for ever,
And live for ever Thine.

841. [Art Thou not at leisure now]

Art Thou not at leisure now,
My sin-sick soul to heal?
Jesus, at Thy feet I bow,
Till I Thy virtue feel:
God a time I dare not set,
Or teach Thee when Thou must relieve:
Only see me at Thy feet,
And as Thou wilt, forgive.

Still I for Thy coming stay,
My spirit to restore;
Take this evil heart away,
By love's abiding power:
When Thou wilt Thyself reveal,
And make my full salvation sure,
In mine inmost essence dwell,
My soul's eternal cure.

Now through faith divinely strong,
Who in Thy strength confide,
Though Thou seem to tarry long,
Thy leisure I abide.
Thee I still expect to cheer,
'Stablish, and fill my heart with grace,
Then, almighty Finisher,
I see Thee face to face.

285

842. [In my prosperity I said]

In my prosperity I said, I shall never, &c. —xxx. 6.

In my prosperity I said,
So strong in faith by Jesus made,
I never, never shall remove
Or leave the mount of perfect love.
But when Jesus hid His face,
Sunk my soul in deep distress.

I triumph'd in the grace begun,
As all the work at once were done;
My pardon seal'd, my heart is pure,
My state is fix'd, my heaven is sure!
Now implunged in misery,
Lord, again I mourn for Thee.

843. [Inexpressibly great]

[PART I.]

Inexpressibly great
In my prosperous state
I said, I shall never be moved:
Of pardon possess'd,
So securely I rest
In the arms of my Only-Beloved.

Such comfort I find,
On His bosom reclined,
Who has sprinkled my heart with His blood:
My mountain of bliss,
So establish'd it is
By the hands of a merciful God.

My joy and my song,
Thou hast made me so strong,
And superior to trouble and pain;
My conflicts are pass'd,
And triumphant at last,
I shall never be tempted again.

286

Thou hast saved me from sin,
Both without and within,
I am perfectly happy and free:
My election is sure,
My heart, it is pure,
And evil I never shall see.

PART II.

While thus I went on,
Instantaneously gone
Was the light of Thy heavenly face:
My presumption to chide,
Thy face Thou didst hide,
And withdraw the ecstatical grace.

My trouble return'd,
And I bitterly mourn'd
The loss of my only Delight:
For Thy absence distress'd,
Above measure oppress'd,
O'erwhelm'd with a mountain of night.

In desertion and grief,
I applied for relief
To my God, whom I forced to depart;
And besought Him to hear
With a pitiful ear,
The complaint of a sorrowful heart.

Bereft of my peace,
From the deepest abyss
Thy mercy I humbly implore:
A mere sinner forgive,
Unworthy to live,
And the help of Thy Spirit restore.

287

What advantage to God,
That I die in my blood,
The reward of iniquity meet?
Will it benefit Thee,
If destruction I see,
And sink into the bottomless pit?

If I perish forgot,
Or my memory rot,
Thy glory I never can show:
Or the truth of Thy grace,
In torments confess,
To the blasphemous spirits below.

O Saviour, attend
My affliction to end,
If unchangeable mercy Thou art:
Discover the blood
That has pacified God,
And apply it again to my heart.

O Jesus, appear,
My Deliverer here,
And assist me again to believe:
And for ever restored
To the sight of my God,
To the heaven of heavens receive.

PART III.

I am heal'd, I am heal'd!
Thou again hast reveal'd
Thy unsearchable mercies to me:
With Thee I possess
The sweet comforts of grace,
And the light of Thy countenance see.

288

My sorrowful night,
Into rapture and light,
By Thy sudden appearance is turn'd;
And establish'd in peace,
I forget my distress,
Or rejoice that I ever have mourn'd.

My sordid array
Thou hast ravish'd away,
And adorn'd me with beauty and love;
And triumphantly glad,
With holiness clad,
I return to the country above.

All Israel shall see
Thy goodness to me,
And expect and experience the same;
And incessantly praise
The abundance of grace,
The full virtue of Jesus's name.

I continue the song,
With a numberless throng,
Who the Lover of sinners adore:
Each moment employ
In the spirit of joy,
And exult, and give thanks evermore.

The redeem'd of the Lamb
We Thy glory proclaim,
For a few, happy festival days:
Singing on till we fly
To our friends in the sky,
And eternity spend in Thy praise.

289

844. [My time is in Thy hand, O Lord]

My time is in Thy hand. —xxxi. 17.

My time is in Thy hand, O Lord,
Thy time is not in mine;
When, as Thou wilt, fulfil the word,
The hallowing word Divine.
Earnest I knock at mercy's gate,
Till Thou the blessing give;
And, patient on my Saviour wait
Thine image to retrieve.

Jesus, the good Thy saints desire,
The reigning power, art Thou;
And may I not of Thee inquire,
Wilt Thou restore it now?
I may, I must inquire of Thee,
And then the time submit;
And lie with meek humility,
Expecting at Thy feet.

I dare not my own soul deceive,
With blind presumption say,
“Now, now Thou shalt this moment give,
I will no longer stay.”
Through faith the promise I obtain,
But not through faith alone;
Patience must join, the prize to gain,
And make Thee all my own.

845. [Thy presence is the secret place]

Thou shalt hide them in the secret of Thy presence. —xxxi. 20.

Thy presence is the secret place,
To which, Thou know'st, I fain would fly;
Bring me into that wilderness,
With Thee alone to live and die:

290

From all the miseries I fear,
From all the miseries I feel,
From my own memory severe
Thou only canst my soul conceal.

Come, Lord, Thy glorious face display,
This world of woe and sin to' exclude,
Bear in Thine hands my soul away,
Thyself my long-sought solitude:
I now into Thy hands resign
My life to be conceal'd above,
As satisfied with light Divine,
As quite absorb'd in heavenly love.

846. [Jesus, the sinner's hiding place]

Thou art a place to hide me in. —xxxii. 8.

Jesus, the sinner's hiding place,
My sanctuary Thou art,
Preserve me in Thy love's embrace
From my own evil heart;
Open Thine heart to take me in
Beyond the tempter's power,
And hide, where my besetting sin
May never find me more.

847. [Taste Him in Christ, and see]

O taste, and see that the Lord is good! —xxxiv. 8.

Taste Him in Christ, and see
The' abundance of His grace,
Experience God so good to me,
So good to all our race!
Celestial sweetness prove
Through Jesu's grace forgiven,
And then enjoy in perfect love
The largest taste of heaven.

291

848. [My lust of life is gone; yet here]

What man is he that lusteth to live, &c. —xxxiv. 12.

My lust of life is gone; yet here
A few good days I fain would see,
Days from the clouds of passion clear,
Days to adore, and honour Thee:
I ask on earth a longer space,
Thy love to' attain, and testify,
To' experience all the life of grace,
And sinless at Thy feet to die.

849. [Who can soothe the soul's distresses?]

Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation! —xxxv. 3.

Who can soothe the soul's distresses?
Jesus, Lord,
Thy kind word
All my sorrows eases:
By the virtue of Thy passion
Make me whole,
Tell my soul,
I am thy salvation!

850. [O that I, Lord, in Thee alone]

Delight thyself also in the Lord, &c. —xxxvii. 4.

O that I, Lord, in Thee alone
Could seek my whole delight, and find!
Thy perfect will on me be done,
Who to Thy perfect will resign'd
In faith for full salvation pray,
And for Thy promised coming stay.

Of all Thou hast in earth below,
Of all Thou hast in heaven above,
Wilt Thou whate'er I ask bestow?
I nothing ask except Thy love;
Thou know'st the secrets of my heart,
The thing which I desire, Thou art.

292

Give then Thyself, Jehovah, give
The glorious Partner of Thy throne
In a poor ransom'd worm to live,
That with Thy Son and Spirit one,
One I may live with Love, with Thee,
And reign through all eternity.

851. [Peace at the last! eternal peace]

Keep innocency, and take heed, &c. —xxxvii. 38.

Peace at the last! eternal peace
Thine only innocence can give:
Jesus, the Lord my righteousness,
My pardon I from Thee receive.
Thy blood, if Thou the faith bestow,
Shall fill my heart with purest love;
And hallow'd by Thy blood, I go
To live the glorious life above.

I trust, the works which Thou hast done,
The pains Thou didst for me endure,
The righteousness of God alone
Did my immortal bliss secure:
And when I bow my dying head,
Meet for a mansion in the sky,
My soul its eagle-wings shall spread,
And spotless to Thy bosom fly.

852. [Man, foolish and impotent man]

Man walketh in a vain shadow, &c. —xxxix. 7.

Man, foolish and impotent man,
Attach'd to the things that appear,
He pants for a shadow in vain,
A shadow of happiness here!
His wants with his riches increase,
His labour and burden of mind;
And mock'd by the objects of sense,
He seeks what he never can find.

293

If cursed with his wish, he obtains
His height of ambition below,
With empty enjoyments he gains
Vexation, and sorrow, and woe.
His spirit in bitterness groans,
Overwhelm'd by a mountain of care;
His folly defeated he owns,
And sinks in a gulf of despair.

If rational good he desire,
He misses his laudable end;
Nor wisdom its aim can acquire,
Nor virtue ensure us a friend.
No blessing on this side the skies
Can merit our love or esteem,
When virtue is pride in disguise,
And friendship itself is a dream.

853. [What now is my object and aim?]

And now, Lord, what is my hope? —xxxix. 8.

What now is my object and aim?
What now is my hope and desire?
To follow the heavenly Lamb,
And after His image aspire:
My hope is all centred in Thee;
I trust to recover Thy love,
On earth Thy salvation to see,
And then to enjoy it above.

854. [Jesus, my Saviour and my Prince]

Deliver me from all mine offences. —xxxix. 9.

Jesus, my Saviour and my Prince,
Answer on me Thy saving name,
Deliver me from all my sins,
The guilt, the sorrow, and the shame,
And from mine inmost soul remove
The power, the nature, and the love.

294

855. [A sojourner and stranger]

I am a stranger with Thee, &c. —xxxix. 14, 15.

A sojourner and stranger,
Thou dost Thy creature see,
A short-lived wretch in danger
Of deathless misery:
Like those that went before me,
I soon shall end my race;
But first, O God, restore me
To live the life of grace.

Spare me a little longer,
Till out of weakness made
Than sin and Satan stronger,
I own Thy constant aid,
I feel the sinless nature
Thou dost to saints impart,
And find my New Creator
Possessing all my heart.

Jesus, Thou art the Power
I live but to regain:
Hasten the welcome hour,
Restore the Spirit's reign.
With restless expectation,
I gasp to compass Thee,
The Strength of my salvation,
The Power of God in me.

856. [Thou who hast suffer'd me so long]

O spare me a little, that I may recover, &c. —xxxix. 15.

Thou who hast suffer'd me so long,
A little longer spare,
Till made by faith divinely strong
I all Thy impress bear:

295

Then let me from this vale of woe
Triumphantly depart,
My God as I am known to know,
And see Thee as Thou art.

857. [On every side surrounded]

I waited patiently for the Lord, &c. —xl. 1–4.

On every side surrounded
With troubles and temptations,
I waited on
My Lord alone,
With humble faith and patience.
In prayer unconquerable,
Instant and persevering,
Implored His aid
On Jesus stay'd,
And long'd for His appearing.

The God of faithful mercies
Received my supplication,
Nor left me in
The pit of sin,
The depth of desperation.
Out of the mire of nature
(Because His blood had bought me);
Out of the clay
Where sunk I lay,
His outstretch'd arm hath brought me.

He hath my feet establish'd,
And fix'd me in His favour,
A Rock of love
That cannot move,
A Rock that stands for ever.

296

The way of His commandments
Made plain by His direction,
I gladly run,
And still go on
In Christ, to full redemption.

He a new song hath taught me
While love my heart inspires,
The matter true
Is always new,
And never, never tires:
The God of pardoning mercy
Hath fill'd me with thanksgiving;
With gospel peace,
And joy's increase,
And raptures in believing.

A multitude of sinners
Shall see my exultation,
And struck with fear
The Lord revere,
The God of my salvation.
Trembling at His displeasure
The crowd shall fall before Him,
Till fear give place
To gospel grace,
And all in love adore Him.

858. [Troubles and sins, a countless crowd]

Innumerable troubles are come about me, &c. —xl. 15.

Troubles and sins, a countless crowd,
Beyond conception multiplied,
Have long this abject spirit bow'd,
And hemm'd me in on every side,
Forbade my weakness to look up,
And seem'd to quench my last faint spark of hope.

297

So strongly to all sin inclined,
So fast by vile attractions held,
So impotent my carnal mind,
I yield constrain'd, o'erpower'd I yield,
No longer struggle in the snare,
But sinks my heart, o'erwhelm'd with sad despair.

859. [No good thing belongs to me]

As for me, I am poor and needy, &c. —xl. 20, 21.

No good thing belongs to me,
Sink of sin and misery;
Destitute and poor indeed,
Needing Christ, I all things need.
But the Lord is rich in grace,
Saviour of the sinful race;
Friend of helpless misery,
Jesus loves and cares for me.

Yes, I Thee my Helper know,
Kept from everlasting woe;
Thee my daily Saviour feel,
Rescued on the verge of hell.
Yet I for Thy presence stay;
Come, and take my sins away,
Haste, my God, Thyself to' impart,
Save by dwelling in my heart.

860. [Still will my Redeemer tarry]

Make no long tarrying, O my God. —xl. 21.

Still will my Redeemer tarry,
Leave me still unfreed, unbless'd,
By my cruel adversary,
By my tyrant-sin oppress'd?
Jesus, mighty to deliver,
Haste to take my sin away,
Save a soul undone for ever
Longer if my Saviour stay!

298

861. [Sin is the desperate wound]

Heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee. —xli. 4.

Sin is the desperate wound
Which must my death procure,
Unless the balm in Gilead found
Administers a cure:
Jesus, my Lord, my God,
Faith to be heal'd I have;
O let the medicine of Thy blood
My soul for ever save.

862. [I thirst for a life-giving God]

My soul is athirst for God, yea, even, &c. —xlii. 2.

I thirst for a life-giving God,
A God that on Calvary died,
A fountain of water and blood
Which gush'd from Immanuel's side!
I gasp for the stream of His love,
The Spirit of rapture unknown,
And then to re-drink it above,
Eternally fresh from the throne.

863. [Come to me, if such thy case]

Come to me, if such thy case,
(Stands the living God, and cries,)
Drink the Spirit of My grace,
Drink the streams of paradise,
Slake thine endless thirst on Me,
Drink to all eternity.

864. [Confined in a dungeon of clay]

When shall I come to appear before, &c. —xlii. 2.

Confined in a dungeon of clay,
Exiled from the Saviour I love,
I long to be summon'd away,
I groan for a speedy remove:

299

O when shall I come to appear
With joy in the presence Divine,
To find Him essentially near,
To know Him eternally mine!

865. [But I am all to sin inclined]

Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity. —xlv. 8.

But I am all to sin inclined,
And hatred against God my mind,
Till Thou Thine own impart:
Pity a sad reverse of Thee,
And from myself to set me free,
Come, Lord, into my heart.

I then regenerate from above
Shall sin abhor like Thee, and love
The perfect righteousness,
Partake the nature of my Head,
And in Thy image live, to spread
Mine utmost Saviour's praise.

866. [Still—I in Thy presence am]

Be still then, and know that I am God! —xlvi. 10.

Still—I in Thy presence am:
Jesus, now declare Thy name,
Tell me, what I wait to prove,
Thou art God, and God is love!

867. [Thou wast my Guide in infancy]

This God is our God for ever and ever: &c. —xlviii. 13.

Thou wast my Guide in infancy,
Thou art in life's decline,
My Guide in death Thou soon shalt be,
And then—for ever mine!

868. [Jesu, Thy work begin]

Make me a clean heart, O God, and renew, &c. —li. 10.

Jesu, Thy work begin
By cancelling my sin;
Thy cleansing blood impart,
To purify my heart;

300

Its utmost virtue show,
My spirit to renew,
And wholly sanctified
Take home Thy happy bride.

869. [Wilt Thou from me withdraw Thy grace]

Cast me not away from Thy presence, &c. —li. 11.

Wilt Thou from me withdraw Thy grace,
Or drive a sinner from Thy face
At Jesu's feet who bow?
At Jesu's feet Thou seest me lie,
Thou hear'st His blood for mercy cry,
And canst not punish now!

870. [Jesus, giver of contrition]

A broken and a contrite heart, O God, &c. —li. 17.

Jesus, giver of contrition,
Giver Thou of pardon art:
Wound me, O my kind Physician,
Break, and then bind up my heart:
Who a broken-hearted sinner
Never, never wilt despise,
Cast me down, my faith's Beginner,
Lift me up to Paradise.

871. [Come heavenly Dove]

O that I had wings like a dove, &c. —lv. 6.

Come heavenly Dove,
My soul remove
From life's severe distresses,
To that glorious rest above,
To my Lord's embraces!

Saviour, to Thee
I fain would flee,
I would be always praising,
Spend a whole eternity
In worshipping, and gazing!

301

872. [Jesus, to Thee]

O that I had wings like a dove, for then, &c. —lv. 6–8.

Jesus, to Thee
I fain would flee,
The sinner's sanctuary;
Find my true felicity,
And in Thy presence tarry.

O let the Dove,
Who from above
First on Thyself descended,
Fill my heart with patient love,
Till all these storms are ended.

Thrice happy, might
I urge my flight,
Removed by His translation,
Out of darkness into light,
Into Thy full salvation!

The rest be mine
For which I pine,
Which for Thy saints remaineth;
Rest of righteousness Divine,
Where love eternal reigneth.

The eagles' wings,
Thy Spirit brings
The wings of faith and prayer;
They beyond all earthly things
My ravish'd soul shall bear.

Far from the crowd
Of passions loud,
Thyself to me discover:
Then I dwell alone with God,
And clasp my heavenly Lover;

302

In calm repose
Forget my woes,
And all things transitory;
Then my willing eyes I close,
And wake to see Thy glory.

873. [Not as a formal task to Thee]

In the evening, and morning, and at noon-day, &c. —lv. 18.

Not as a formal task to Thee
My tale of words I pay,
But feeling my own poverty
I every hour would pray;
Would always pray, and never faint,
Till, wholly sanctified,
Thou take me up, a sinless saint,
And seat me by Thy side.

874. [The flesh against the Spirit lusts]

Under the shadow of Thy wings shall be, &c. —lvii. 1.

The flesh against the Spirit lusts,
But, while it strives to tyrannize,
My soul in Love almighty trusts,
My faithful soul on Christ relies,
Till this intestine war is o'er,
And sin destroy'd can tempt no more.

875. [Who of the rich hath ears to hear]

If riches increase, set not your heart upon them. —lxii. 10.

Who of the rich hath ears to hear,
Divinely warn'd of danger near,
Of fears to find his wealth increase,
The mammon of unrighteousness?
Yet if on wealth ye set your heart,
Ye from the living God depart,
Your souls for nought to Satan sell,
And wisely barter heaven for hell.

303

876. [O God, Thou art in Jesus mine]

O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee. —lxiii. 1.

O God, Thou art in Jesus mine,
And early will I seek Thy face,
Till certified by love Divine,
That I am freely saved by grace,
I find Him bleeding on the tree,
Who freely bled to death for me.

877. [Thy favour and love I prefer]

Thy lovingkindness is better than life. —lxiii. 3.

Thy favour and love I prefer
To life in its happiest hours,
Possess'd of a paradise here
When mercy my spirit o'erpowers:
All earthly delights I forego,
All creature enjoyments resign,
When bless'd with the heaven, to know
My Jesus eternally mine.

878. [Thee in the watches of the night]

Have I not remembered Thee in my bed? —lxiii. 7.

Thee in the watches of the night
Do I not, Lord, remember still,
And meditate with calm delight
On the dear counsels of Thy will?
Thy will is my perfection here;
And sighs for this my whole desire
To' attain Thy heavenly character,
And spotless in Thine arms expire.

879. [My God, I wake to call Thee mine]

Have I not thought upon Thee, when I was waking? —lxiii. 7.

My God, I wake to call Thee mine,
To think on all Thy love,
To taste the graciousness Divine,
And farther blessings prove;

304

After Thy likeness to wake up,
And fly from earth away,
And see the Lamb on Sion's top
In that eternal day.

880. [Who loves me so well, My Helper has been]

Because Thou hast been my helper, &c. —lxiii. 8.

Who loves me so well, My Helper has been,
And saved me from hell, And saved me from sin;
His gracious protection I joyfully prove,
His strength of affection, His fulness of love.

Thee Jesus, I praise, Who kindly hast spread
The wings of Thy grace To cover my head:
Preserved by Thy favour I gladly remove,
My uttermost Saviour To thank Thee above.

881. [Inspired with life and vigour new]

My soul followeth hard after Thee. —lxiii. 8.

Inspired with life and vigour new,
I toward my Centre move;
With all my vehement soul pursue
The hallowing God of love.
With infinite desire I pant
Thy fulness to receive;
And nothing less than Christ I want,
Than all Thou hast to give.

Forgetting still the things behind,
I reach to those before;
Impatient till the rest I find,
Where sin subsists no more.
I follow on to apprehend
Whom yet I cannot see;
And never shall my labours end,
Till I am lost in Thee.

882. [Hangs my new-born soul on Thee]

My soul hangeth upon Thee, Thy right hand, &c. —lxiii. 9.

Hangs my new-born soul on Thee,
Weak as helpless infancy,

305

Yet sustain'd by Thy right hand,
Firm on surest ground I stand:
Faith may fail, I feel, and know,
But Thou wilt not let me go,
Wilt not with Thy purchase part,
Wilt not lose me from Thy heart.

883. [The quiet solitary place]

Hide me! —lxiv. 2.

The quiet solitary place
For which I all my life have pined,
The still, sequester'd wilderness
O might I in Thy presence find!
Then shall I rest whom God doth hide,
Unconscious then, that in the whole
Creation aught exists beside
My Saviour, and my happy soul!

884. [Thy wisdom all my folly sees]

God, Thou knowest my simpleness, &c. —lxix. 5.

Thy wisdom all my folly sees,
My faults are all before Thine eyes,
Mine heart, and inward wickedness;
Such as I am, without disguise,
A sinner to Thy bosom take,
Not for my own, but Jesu's sake.

885. [An alien to my mother's sons]

I am an alien to my mother's children. —lxix. 8.

An alien to my mother's sons,
Content o'er earth I rove,
If me my heavenly Father owns,
And blesses with His love.
An alien from the life Divine
Let me no longer be;
And every creature I resign,
To find my all in Thee.

306

886. [Tophet its mouth hath open'd wide]

Let not the pit shut her mouth upon me. —lxix. 15.

Tophet its mouth hath open'd wide,
To swallow up my soul;
And still I on the brink abide
Of the sulphureous pool.
O let Thy mercy interpose,
While on the brink I stay;
And suffer not the pit to close
Its mouth upon its prey.

The inextinguishable fire
Kindled in me I feel;
And never was a sinner nigher,
Yet not shut up in hell.
As scorch'd I call on Jesu's name,
Thou dying Lamb of God;
No water can assuage the flame,—
O quench it in Thy blood!

887. [This evil above all]

Let them fall from one wickedness to another. —lxix. 28.

This evil above all,
Jesus, I deprecate;
Before from sin to sin I fall
With all my nature's weight,
My tempted soul require:
But first Thy mercy show,
And save me, save me as by fire,
From quenchless flames below.

Further and further still
I surely shall sin on,
And through the last extremes of ill
To swift destruction run:

307

Unless my constant stay,
My present help Thou art,
And take the love of sin away
Out of this desperate heart.

888. [My longing heart's desire]

Thou, O Lord God, art the thing that I long for. —lxxi. 4.

My longing heart's desire
Is to its Maker known;
Thou seest it now aspire,
Jesus, to Thee alone.
The one thing necessary,
For Thee alone I pine:
On earth I only tarry
To know that Thou art mine.

More than the consolation,
The Comforter I want;
O God of my salvation,
In me Thyself implant.
With infinite expansion,
My spirit pants for Thee,
And swells to be Thy mansion
Through all eternity.

889. [Great Author of all my desires]

Great Author of all my desires,
The thing that I covet Thou art;
My vehement spirit aspires
To find Thee reveal'd in my heart.
Thy nature I long to partake,
Thine image on earth to retrieve;
Then, then, for my Advocate's sake,
My soul to Thy bosom receive.

308

My God if in Jesus Thou art
The giver of comfort and rest,
Thyself to my spirit impart,
Thy kingdom erect in my breast.
And while my accomplish'd desire
In Jesus's presence I see,
No good upon earth I require,
No heaven in heaven, but Thee.

890. [Thou who from infancy to age]

Cast me not away in the time of age. —lxxi. 8.

Thou who from infancy to age
Hast been my never-failing Friend,
Support through life's extremest stage,
And bring me to my journey's end,
And bid me live, to sing Thy praise,
An age of everlasting days.

891. [Through labour exhausted, and pain]

Forsake me not when my strength faileth me. —lxxi. 8.

Through labour exhausted, and pain,
Will Christ from His servant depart,
Or with me in weakness remain
The strength and the joy of my heart?
His power I in weakness shall prove,
Confiding in Jesus's name,
The God of unchangeable love,
For ever and ever the same.

892. [Thou who so long hast saved me here]

Thou who so long hast saved me here,
A little longer save,
Till freed from sin, and freed from fear,
I sink into a grave;
Till glad I lay this body down,
Thy servant, Lord, attend,
And O! my life of mercies crown
With a triumphant end!

309

893. [Let others of their virtue boast]

I will make mention of Thy righteousness only. —lxxi. 14.

Let others of their virtue boast,
And call it all their own,
I in the only merit trust
Of God's most holy Son:
The righteousness by Jesus wrought
Shall all my evil hide,
Till deep into my Spirit brought
It shows me sanctified.

894. [O God in Christ, accept our prayer]

Give the king Thy judgments, O God. —lxxii. 1.

O God in Christ, accept our prayer;
On Thy vicegerent here confer
The wisdom from above,
Thy righteousness impute, impart,
And put within his tender heart
Thy law of heavenly love.

895. [O my all-sufficient God]

Whom have I in heaven but Thee? &c. —lxxiii. 25.

O my all-sufficient God,
Thou know'st my heart's desire,
Be this only thing bestow'd,
I nothing else require,
Nothing else in earth or skies,
In time, or in eternity:
Heaven itself could not suffice:
I seek not Thine, but Thee.

896. [Thou art the thing, the' eternal Word]

Thou art the thing, the' eternal Word
For which my spirit sighs!
Not all Thy gifts and graces, Lord,
Can without Thee suffice:

310

My perfect holiness Thou art,
My full felicity:
Enter, and fill my hungry heart
Which wants no heaven but Thee.

897. [The presence of my Saviour]

The presence of my Saviour
Doth every good contain;
And in Thy heart-felt favour
Eternal life I gain.
If Thou to me art given,
The true felicity,
The joy of earth and heaven
I find comprised in Thee.

No more can I require,
Of God in Christ possess'd;
Thou art my whole desire,
And in Thy love I rest.
Bless'd with Thy love's fruition,
I taste the' ecstatic grace;
And now enjoy the vision
Of God in Jesu's face.

898. [Let this feeble body droop]

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God, &c. —lxxiii. 26.

Let this feeble body droop,
And fail this fainting heart,
Thou, O God, my strength, my hope,
My heavenly portion art:
Age may break, or sickness seize,
Or pain, or mortal agony;
Dying, dead, I still possess
Eternal life in Thee.

311

899. [O Lord from heaven, on earth bestow'd]

The help that is done upon earth He doeth it Himself. —lxxiv. 13.

O Lord from heaven, on earth bestow'd,
Thy goodness makes our blessings sure:
Thy strength sustains us in the food,
Thy grace doth in the medicine cure,
Whate'er the means or channels be,
Our help is all derived from Thee.

900. [I vow, resolve, and promise, Lord]

Promise unto the Lord your God, and keep it. —lxxvi. 11.

I vow, resolve, and promise, Lord,
Through Thy sufficient grace,
To' eschew the thing by Thee abhorr'd,
And walk in all Thy ways.
Confiding in Thy blood applied,
Arm'd with Thy Spirit's power,
My bosom-sin I lay aside,
And never act it more.

A guilty, weak, and helpless worm,
I will on Thee depend,
My vow impossible perform,
And keep it to the end;
Repeat my promise every day,
And every day fulfil;
And walk, and run, and soar away
To meet Thee on the hill.

901. [Lord, I confess Thy judgments just]

He gave them their own desire. —lxxviii. 30.

Lord, I confess Thy judgments just,
If left to my own heart's desires;
I follow every brutal lust,
And do whate'er the flesh requires.
And led by Satan at his will,
The measure of my sin fulfil.

312

But for Thy endless mercy's sake,
Appear my Advocate with God;
The brand out of the burning take,
The brand extinguish with Thy blood,
Fountain of purity Divine,
And swallow up my will in Thine.

902. [Jesus, full of truth and grace]

Show the light of Thy countenance, &c. —lxxx. 3.

Jesus, full of truth and grace,
Show my heart Thy heavenly face,
Shine the true Eternal Light,
Put my darkness all to flight;
Then my sin shall disappear,
Heal'd of all my evils here,
Then I as my Lord shall shine
Blended with the Light Divine.

903. [Sing we merrily to God]

Sing we merrily unto God our strength; &c. —lxxxi. 1.

Sing we merrily to God,
We the creatures of His grace;
We the purchase of His blood,
Only live to sing and praise,
Make we then a cheerful noise,
Every child of Adam join'd,
Share the universal joys,
Shout the Friend of all mankind.

904. [Give me that enlarged desire]

Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. —lxxxi. 10.

Give me that enlarged desire,
And open, Lord, my soul,
Thy own fulness to require,
And comprehend the whole;
Stretch my faith's capacity
Wider, and yet wider still,
Then with all that is in Thee
My soul for ever fill.

313

905. [To save my helpless soul from sin]

He will speak peace unto His people, &c. —lxxxv. 8.

To save my helpless soul from sin,
And my backslidings heal,
Set up Thy kingdom, Lord, within,
Thy grace in me reveal.
That all-victorious righteousness,
That fullest joy impart,
And O, inspire Thy perfect peace,
Thyself into my heart.

A few good days I long to live,
A witness of Thy power:
My past iniquities forgive,
That I may sin no more;
May never more to folly turn,
Or weak or faithless prove,
Of Thine almighty Spirit born,
And quite absorb'd in love.

906. [In unbelief imprison'd fast]

I am so fast in prison, that I cannot get forth. —lxxxviii. 8.

In unbelief imprison'd fast,
Far from the sight of day,
I cannot struggle forth, or cast
My chains of sin away;
Jesus, Thou know'st I cannot please,
Or serve the living God,
Till Thou my helpless soul release
Through Thy redeeming blood.

907. [In unbelief imprison'd fast]

In unbelief imprison'd fast,
I cannot force my way;
The shackles from my spirit cast,
Or struggle into day.

314

By pride and vile affections bound,
Indignantly I groan,
And feel, the sinful root and ground
Is unbelief alone.

Satan, with all his worldly powers,
My keeper dire I see,
Who opens not his prison doors,
Nor sets his captive free.
His slave, I soon must be consign'd
To that infernal flame,
Jesus, unless through Thee I find
Redemption in Thy name.

But faith in Thy redeeming blood
If Thou vouchsafe to give,
My soul shall quit this dark abode,
The moment I believe.
The chains of sin fall off my heart,
And, freed by love Divine,
My only Lord and God Thou art,
And I am wholly Thine.

908. [Jesus, omnipotent to save]

I have laid help upon One that is mighty. —lxxxix. 19.

Jesus, omnipotent to save,
Righteousness, and strength I have,
And help laid up on Thee:
Fulness of gospel-grace is Thine,
And all the plenitude Divine,
That all may dwell in me.

909. [Pass but another moment, Lord]

Remember how short my time is. —lxxxix. 46.

Pass but another moment, Lord,
And time with me shall be no more:
Yet still Thou seest me unrestored,
Unconscious of Thy hallowing power:

315

Another moment if Thou stay,
My unsaved soul for ever dies;
Now, Jesus, cast Thine own away,
Or change, and take me to the skies.

910. [Warn'd of my dissolution near]

So teach us to number our days, that we may, &c. —xc. 12.

Warn'd of my dissolution near,
I see my one great business here;
To Thee for wisdom cry:
Wisdom to live? 'tis now too late!
But O, before I meet my fate,
Instruct me how to die!

911. [While yet the ground I cumber]

While yet the ground I cumber,
Spared by Thy patient grace,
Teach me aright to number
My few remaining days.
That, wise unto salvation,
I here may mortify
My every sense, and passion,
And die, before I die.

Thy servant, Lord, inspire
With faith that works by love;
And set my soul on fire
With hope of joys above.
Anointed by Thy Spirit,
O let my spirit rise,
And seek, and strive to' inherit
That kingdom in the skies.

To this my heart applying
With all my gracious power,
I would by daily dying,
Anticipate the hour;

316

The hour of my dismission
With patient love attend,
Till in that blissful vision
Both faith and sufferings end.

912. [For half an age of mournful years]

Comfort us again now after the time, &c. —xc. 15.

For half an age of mournful years
I justly plagued have been,
As left by God to griefs and fears,
And sin chastising sin:
Comfort me, Saviour, by Thy grace:
And when Thy face I see,
An age of everlasting days
I shall rejoice in Thee.

913. [Soon as with conscious grief I said]

When I said, My foot hath slipped, &c. —xciv. 18.

Soon as with conscious grief I said,
My foot hath slipp'd, Thy gracious aid
My sinking soul upheld.
Ready Thine all-redeeming love
The' acknowledged evil to remove,
And speak my pardon seal'd.

Guilty whene'er my sin I own,
Mercy doth to my rescue run,
The Saviour bids me rise,
Repeats the reconciling word,
In peace and innocence restored,
And freely justifies.

Jesus, I magnify Thy grace,
Thy free unbounded goodness praise,
And mercy without end;
Assured Thou wilt my weakness bear,
Till raised to meet Thee in the air,
I grasp my heavenly Friend.

317

914. [The Lord is King]

The Lord is King. —xcvii. 1.

The Lord is King,
Rejoice and sing;
My Lord and King Thou art,
Thy Spirit reigns,
Thy love maintains
Its sway within my heart.

915. [How shall a sinful worm presume]

Clouds and darkness are round about Him. —xcvii. 2.

How shall a sinful worm presume
To enter that most holy place?
A thick impenetrable gloom
Conceals the brightness of His face,
Darkness and clouds surround His throne,
And hide from man the God unknown.

God inaccessible Thou art,
Thou must unsearchable remain,
Unless Thy love itself impart,
To soothe Thy fallen creature's pain—
To cheer me with celestial light,
And rescue from eternal night.

Send forth a ray of faith Divine,
(Which only can proceed from Thee,)
In this dark desperate heart to shine;
Ah, give me eyes my God to see,
My Father full of pardoning grace,
And smiling in Thy glorious face!

916. [The Lord that I sincerely love]

O ye that love the Lord, see that ye hate, &c. —xcvii. 10.

The Lord that I sincerely love
My hate of sin alone can prove;
But in my unregenerate state
Evil alas, I cannot hate;

318

Yet drawn by Him, He knows I would
Evil abhor, and cleave to good,
And God who gives me these desires,
Will give whate'er Himself requires.

917. [Father, Thou dost forgive]

Thou forgavest them, O God, and punishedst, &c. —xcix. 8.

Father, Thou dost forgive,
Thou dost the child reprove;
And lo! my pardon I receive,
With Thy chastising love,
Accept my punishment,
With faith in Jesu's blood,
And comprehend the kind intent
Of Thy afflictive rod.

My own inventions past
With daily grief I meet;
Remorse, and shame, with life shall last,
And bow me at Thy feet.
While banish'd from the skies,
I will Thy chastening bear;
But wipe the sorrows from my eyes,
But end my sufferings here!

918. [Christ appears! my sin and sadness]

Serve the Lord with gladness. —c. 1.

Christ appears! my sin and sadness,
Lord, Thy sight
Puts to flight:
Now I serve with gladness.

919. [Why not now, my God, my God]

O when wilt Thou come unto me? —ci. 2.

Why not now, my God, my God,
(Ready if Thou always art,)
Make in me Thy mean abode,
Take possession of my heart?

319

If Thou canst so greatly bow,
Friend of sinners, why not now?

At the close of life's short day
For Thyself to Thee I cry:
Dying, if Thou still delay,
Must I not for ever die?
Enter now Thy poorest home,
Now, my utmost Saviour, come!

920. [When wilt Thou come unto me]

When wilt Thou come unto me,
And bid my troubles cease,
After Thy mind renew me,
In truth and righteousness?
I want the heavenly Giver,
More than the gifts Divine;
Come to a weak believer,
My Lord, for ever mine.

When shall I walk before Thee,
Freed from the inbred ill,
In spirit and truth adore Thee,
And do Thy perfect will?
Then of my conversation
The end and sum Thou art,
With all Thy great salvation
Residing in my heart.

921. [Destroy'd of God, the slanderer]

Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, &c. —ci. 6.

Destroy'd of God, the slanderer
With fellow-fiends shall dwell;
And those that will not bridle here,
Must gnaw their tongues in hell.

320

922. [O Saviour of sinners, from whom]

It is time that Thou have mercy upon Sion; &c. —cii. 13.

O Saviour of sinners, from whom
The mind of the Godhead we know,
The season appointed is come,
Thy mercy in Sion to show:
To visit our Church from above
Most graciously ready Thou art:
Thy Spirit of pity and love
Reveals Thy intent in our heart.

We think on her desolate stones,
Her temple in ruins that lies,
And pray with unspeakable groans,
She out of the dust may arise.
With grief inexpressibly great,
Her sinful affliction we see;
Ah, raise to her former estate,
And build her again upon Thee.

923. [Now let our monarch see]

The kings of the earth shall fear Thy majesty. —cii. 15.

Now let our monarch see
Thy brighter majesty,
Now the royal promise seal,
True and gracious as Thou art;
Jesus, Sun of heaven, reveal
All Thy glories in his heart.

Give him in Thee to view
The' eternal God and true;
Thou, the Lord, the Lord most high,
Thou the only God supreme,
Fulness of the Deity,
Reign, for ever reign in him!

321

924. [Thou who hast brought my body down]

He brought down my strength. —cii. 23.

Thou who hast brought my body down,
Bring down the strength of sin,
And fill my soul with power unknown,
Thy kingdom fix'd within:
To save from twice ten thousand snares
Mine utmost Saviour come,
And then bring down my hoary hairs
With triumph to the tomb.

925. [Saviour, I long to testify]

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth, &c. —ciii. 3.

Saviour, I long to testify
The fulness of Thy gracious power;
O might Thy Spirit the blood apply,
Which bought for me the peace; and more!
Forgive, and make my nature whole,
My sinful maladies remove,
To perfect health restore my soul,
To perfect holiness and love.

926. [No; for I am not yet in hell]

He hath not dealt with us after our sins. —ciii. 10.

No; for I am not yet in hell,
Worthy the sorest torments there!
Thy mercy, not Thy wrath, I feel,
And breathe on earth an humble prayer:
Since Thou hast suffer'd me so long,
O let me all Thy patience prove,
Till saved I sing the gospel song,
And bless Thee for Thy richest love.

927. [Thou, Jesus, Thou, my Maker know'st]

He knoweth whereof we are made; &c. —ciii. 14.

Thou, Jesus, Thou, my Maker know'st,
Mine inmost soul, and outward frame,
Rememberest that I am but dust,
And haste to earth, from whence I came:

322

Thine eye with softest pity sees
My heart to only sin inclined;
And flesh of flesh I cannot please,
I cannot my Creator find.

O for Thy own compassion's sake,
To me Thy great salvation shew;
Partaker of Thy nature make,
And form this faithless heart anew.
Spirit of Thy pure Spirit born,
Give me by faith Thy face to see;
And let my dust to dust return,
And let my soul be found in Thee.

928. [Salvation gladly I embrace]

O visit me with Thy salvation. —cvi. 4.

Salvation gladly I embrace
Because it comes with Thee:
Jesus, my strength and righteousness,
And sole salvation be:
When Thou the gift unspeakable
Into my heart art given,
Thy fulness, Lord, in me shall dwell,
Thy nature and Thy heaven.

929. [Jesus, on me the grace bestow]

Jesus, on me the grace bestow
Which all Thy favour'd people prove;
To me Thy great salvation show,
Come in the power of pardoning love;
Nor as a transient guest depart,
But dwell for ever in my heart.

Then shall I see the bliss prepared
For those whom Thou hast call'd Thy own,
Anticipate their vast reward,
Their joy unspeakable unknown;

323

With all Thy purchased people bless,
And Thee, in life and death, confess.

930. [Come with Thy salvation, Lord]

Come with Thy salvation, Lord,
Into my dying soul;
Then I live, to health restored
And perfectly made whole.
Conscious of my nothingness
I Thy gracious fulness prove,
Thee my only good possess,
My pure, eternal Love.

931. [Thy mercy, Lord, is better]

Thy mercy, Lord, is better
Than life and all below;
Visit Thy fallen creature;
That I Thy love may know,
The Father's habitation,
Thy Spirit's constant home,
O come with Thy salvation,
With all the Godhead come.

Salvation I desire
Because it comes with Thee,
Who dost Thine own inspire
With perfect purity.
Now, Lord, Thy temple enter,
Not as a transient guest;
But in my spirit's centre,
Eternal Saviour, rest.

932. [Come O Thou uncreated Word]

Come O Thou uncreated Word,
And make Thy saving virtue known;
Thou canst not come without it, Lord,
Salvation and Thyself are one.

324

Essential happiness Thou art,
Sin to destroy in me appear;
Come with Thy blood and wash my heart,
And reign, my God, for ever here.

933. [The people of God]

Let them give thanks whom the Lord, &c. —cvii. 2.

The people of God,
Jehovah we praise
As bought by His blood,
And saved by His grace;
Who daily delivers
And ransoms His own,
And waters with rivers
Of life from His throne.

Redeem'd from the foe,
We Jesus proclaim,
And triumph to know
The power of His name.
Preserved from all evil,
Through God the most high,
The world, and the devil,
And sin we defy.

Much more than our sin
His grace doth abound;
His kingdom within
Our bosom is found:
His blood's application
The blessing imparts,
The inward salvation,
And hallows our hearts.

Triumphing we go
To triumph again,

325

Till death, the last foe,
By Jesus is slain:
His death shall release us,
Call'd out of our graves,
To witness that Jesus
Eternally saves.

934. [Thy covenant this, that I shall know]

He will ever be mindful of His covenant. —cxi. 5.

Thy covenant this, that I shall know
How merciful in Christ Thou art,
Shall feel His blood and Spirit flow
In purest streams throughout my heart,
Nor from my Father's arms remove,
Loved with an everlasting love.

935. [My soul through my Redeemer's care]

Thou hast delivered my soul from death, &c. —cxvi. 8.

My soul through my Redeemer's care
Saved from the second death I feel,
Mine eyes from tears of vain despair,
My feet from falling into hell:
Wherefore to Him my feet shall run,
Mine eyes on His perfections gaze,
My soul shall live for God alone,
And all within me shout His praise.

936. [O what shall I say?]

What reward shall I give unto the Lord, &c. —cxvi. 11, 12.

O what shall I say?
What recompence pay,
To the Giver of all I possess?
I will gladly receive,
While He offers to give
His unsearchable riches of grace.

I will call on His name,
And with singing proclaim
The perfection of Jesus's love;

326

I will drink the full cup,
Till He beckons me up,
To enjoy His salvation above.

937. [Full oft Thou hast my helper been]

Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall, &c. —cxviii. 13.

Full oft Thou hast my helper been,
When sorely by the world assail'd,
By Satan, and my bosom sin,
My goings, Lord, had well-nigh fail'd:
Thou hast, in honour of Thy name,
Snatch'd me out of the lion's teeth,
Pluck'd as a brand out of the flame,
And saved my soul from endless death.

938. [My merciful God Hath chasten'd His son]

The Lord hath chastened and corrected me, &c. —cxviii. 18.

My merciful God Hath chasten'd His son,
His fatherly rod I thankfully own,
He hath not rejected, Or left me to die,
But gently corrected, And laid the rod by.

O how shall I praise The goodness Divine?
My remnant of days To Him I resign,
My life to the Giver I gladly restore,
And praise Him for ever When time is no more.

939. [Thou hast in part forsook]

O forsake me not utterly. —cxix. 8.

Thou hast in part forsook,
And long withdrawn Thy grace,
But do not finally rebuke,
Or drive me from Thy face:
Yet if Thou must depart,
Through life the sinner leave,
O tell it to my dying heart,
Thou dost at last forgive.

327

940. [Justly Thou hast my soul forsook]

Justly Thou hast my soul forsook
Throughout my evil days;
And still, O Lord, in vain I look
For Thy refreshing grace.
In darkness, weariness, and pain
I from the vale remove,
Nor can in cheerless age obtain
The comfort of Thy love.

Yet in the bottom of my heart,
A ray of hope I feel;
Thou wilt not finally depart,
Nor let me sink to hell.
If on Thy promise I rely
Till all these storms are pass'd,
Thou wilt not—canst not let me die,
Without Thy love at last.

941. [How in the slippery paths of youth]

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse, &c. —cxix. 9.

How in the slippery paths of youth,
Shall I preserve my conscience clean?
By listening to the voice of Truth,
The Truth, who makes us free from sin:
Speak to my heart Thy cleansing word,
Ruled by Thy word I then shall be,
Follow the Spirit of my Lord,
And give my prime of life to Thee.

942. [Long enthrall'd to low desires]

I will run the way of Thy commandments, &c. —cxix. 32.

Long enthrall'd to low desires,
Stubborn, impotent, and vain,
Heavenward now my heart aspires,
Struggles now to burst its chain:

328

Set my heart at liberty,
Then my feet shall swiftly move,
In the paths prescribed by Thee,
Pleasant paths of perfect love.

943. [My sinful wretched heart set free]

My sinful wretched heart set free
From all its sin and misery,
The stone, the unbelief remove,
And make it free to pray and love:
Its rooted love of sin destroy,
Then shall I, Lord, with even joy
The way of Thy commandments run,
Which leads directly to Thy throne.

944. [O Thou, to whom I would aspire]

O turn away mine eyes, lest they behold vanity, &c. —cxix. 37.

O Thou, to whom I would aspire,
The nations' Hope, the world's Desire,
Mine eyes from earthly toys avert,
Restrain the wanderings of my heart.
Shut out the creatures from my view,
They all are false, but Thou art true;
And let my soul's attention be
For ever fix'd, O Lord, on Thee.

O were the faith on me bestow'd
Which always sees a present God;
Which always brings Divine supplies,
And power, and life that never dies.
Author of faith, infuse the grace,
Display the glories of Thy face,
And give mine inmost soul to prove
The largest life of heavenly love.

O vain, vain, vain all else beside
The knowledge of the Crucified!

329

Nothing I wish, or want to see,
But Jesus bleeding on the tree;
This only sight my soul engross,
My Lord expiring on the cross;
Till quicken'd by His death I rise,
And live His life above the skies.

945. [Of blessings infinite I read]

It is good for me that I have been in trouble. —cxix. 71.

Of blessings infinite I read,
“The foremost, that my heart hath bled,”
And thank Thee for a moment's pain,
Whose fruit shall evermore remain;
How good for me the suffering given!
'Tis grace, 'tis holiness, 'tis heaven!

946. [The hope of Christ how good!]

I have a good hope. —cxix. 81.

The hope of Christ how good!
I now its goodness feel;
The virtue of His balmy blood
Shall all my sickness heal,
His love shall cast out sin,
My long-sought peace restore,
And Jesus then shall enter in,
And never leave me more.

947. [With longing eyes and restless heart]

Mine eyes long sore for Thy word, saying, &c. —cxix. 82.

With longing eyes and restless heart,
I wait His full return,
Who kindly promises to' impart
Himself to all that mourn.
The word His blessed lips hath pass'd,
The soul-renewing word,
And I shall surely find at last
Perfection in my Lord.

330

I now my Consolation see,
But through a darkening veil;
Come, Jesus, come and comfort me,
Nor let Thy promise fail:
Come, Thou Thyself, for all Thy grace—
Thy gifts cannot suffice,
And make the brightness of Thy face
My constant paradise.

948. [I too the broad command have seen]

I have seen an end of all perfection, &c. —cxix. 96.

I too the broad command have seen,
Enlighten'd, Lord, by Thee,
And may attain, through faith the mean,
That spotless charity:
Holy and just I may appear,
Before I hence remove:
The end of all perfection here,
The law fulfill'd is love.

949. [I see the' exceeding broad command]

I see the' exceeding broad command,
Which all contains in one:
Enlarge my heart to understand
The mystery unknown:
O that with all Thy saints I might
By sweet experience prove
What is the length, and breadth, and height,
And depth of perfect love!

950. [Give me not up to Satan's power]

O give me not over unto mine oppressors. —cxix. 121.

Give me not up to Satan's power
In this my evil day,
Nor let the world or sin devour
Its unresisting prey:

331

Why should a soul redeem'd by Thee
Be by Thy foes oppress'd?
Jesus, proclaim the captive free,
And take me to Thy breast.

951. [Am not I the wilder'd sheep?]

I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost: &c. —cxix. 176.

Am not I the wilder'd sheep?
Seek me, O Thou Shepherd good,
Find, and for Thy service keep
The dear purchase of Thy blood;
Lost again if Thou depart,
Hide me, Saviour, in Thy heart.

952. [Not in my watchfulness or care]

It is even He that shall keep thy soul. —cxxi. 7.

Not in my watchfulness or care
For safety I confide,
But Jesus in His arms doth bear,
And lead me by His side:
Who never slumbers, never sleeps,
My constant guard I have,
And trust Him, who this moment keeps,
Eternally to save.

953. [The word of God continues sure]

The word of God continues sure,
On which my soul is cast,
Thou shalt my tempted soul secure,
Till every storm is pass'd:
With all who on Thy truth depend,
Thou promisest to stay,
From every evil to defend,
And keep us night and day.

According to my faith in Thee,
It shall to me be done;

332

My guide to death, my guardian be,
Be careful of Thine own.
For lo! into Thy hands I give
My ransom'd spirit back,
Which (if I trust Thou wilt not leave),
Thou never canst forsake.

954. [With all my heart, O Lord, I pray]

O pray for the peace of Jerusalem. —cxxii. 6.

With all my heart, O Lord, I pray
For our Jerusalem,
Thy promise with Thy church to stay
In her behalf I claim:
Fulness of gifts and graces shower,
And bless her from above
With perfect peace, and glorious power,
And everlasting love.

955. [Dearer than life, Thou know'st, I love]

They shall prosper that love thee. —cxxii. 6.

Dearer than life, Thou know'st, I love
Thy church establish'd here,
Happy in age, in death, to prove
Her prosperous messenger;
Still happier, after death might I
Her glorious blessings share,
And meet her children in the sky,
And meet her Husband there.

956. [Peace within all her walls be found]

Peace be within thy walls, and plenteousness, &c. —cxxii. 7.

Peace within all her walls be found,
And let Thy Spirit's fruits abound,
Thy grace to England's Church be given,
The manna that comes down from heaven,
Thy glory in her temples shine,
And make them palaces Divine!

333

957. [Not for a favourite form, or name]

For my brethren and companions' sakes, &c. —cxxii. 8.

Not for a favourite form, or name,
But for dear precious souls I care;
Bless, Saviour, our Jerusalem,
That millions may her blessings share,
Prosper our Church, the living few
Employ their brethren dead to raise,
To quicken sister churches too,
And spread throughout the earth Thy praise.

958. [Jesus, the power belongs to Thee]

Turn our captivity, O Lord. —cxxvi. 5.

Jesus, the power belongs to Thee,
And Thee alone I pray,
To turn my long captivity,
To take my sin away:
That liberty from self and pride
I only live to prove,
And nothing ask, or want beside
Thy dear redeeming love.

959. [To build this house, O Lord, display]

Except the Lord build the house, &c. —cxxvii. 1.

To build this house, O Lord, display
Thy special presence here,
And now the right foundation lay
In humble faith and fear;
A measure of Thy Spirit's grace
Be now on each bestow'd,
That each may heavenward turn his face,
And lift his heart to God.

We lift our hearts to God in Thee
Appeased and pacified;
O might we all accepted be,
And feel Thy blood applied!

334

Part of Thy family below
This moment let us prove,
Into young men, and fathers grow,
And rise to perfect love.

960. [They are, as wither'd grass they are]

Let them be even as the grass growing, &c. —cxxix. 6.

They are, as wither'd grass they are,
Who hate the Church by Thee beloved;
But spare, our envious brethren spare,
And speak their barren curse removed,
Partakers of our blessings make,
And save us all for Jesu's sake.

961. [I may abide it—I]

If Thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark, &c. —cxxx. 3.

I may abide it—I,
Who on that cross rely!
Jesus died, and I am clear;
Justice rigorously extreme
Mark'd the sins I cannot fear,
Punish'd all my sins on Him!

962. [Father, I dare believe]

He shall redeem Israel from all his sins. —cxxx. 8.

Father, I dare believe
Thee merciful and true,
Thou wilt my guilty soul forgive,
My fallen soul renew:
Come then for Jesu's sake,
And bid my heart be clean,
An end of all my trouble make,
An end of all my sin.

963. [To guard our guilty trembling race]

He sendeth forth lightnings with the rain. —cxxxv. 7.

To guard our guilty trembling race,
The rain He with the lightning sends;
Sinners by evangelic grace
From Sinai's thunders He defends;

335

When terribly His judgments shine,
And dart destruction from above,
The storm is laid, the wrath Divine
Is quench'd by showers of Jesu's love.

964. [Full of unutterable grace]

The Lord is good, His mercy endureth for ever. —cxxxvi. 1.

Full of unutterable grace
Jesus mine eye of faith surveys!
Jesus, whate'er Thou art is mine,
Fountain of excellence Divine!
All goodness is comprised in Thee,
Good in Thyself, and good to me.

Thy nature doth itself impart
To every humble longing heart;
And all that after Thee aspire
Shall gain, with Thee, their whole desire,
United to their Source above,
Lost in a boundless sea of love.

965. [That envious sect and most confined]

Remember the children of Edom, O Lord, &c. —cxxxvii. 7.

That envious sect and most confined,
Who triumph'd in our evil day,
Call their malicious pride to mind,
Take their malicious pride away.
The men of arrogance reprove,
The church, the brethren, and the bride,
Their Babel-battlements remove,
And take them humbled—to Thy side.

966. [Lo! I in simplicity]

The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me. —cxxxviii. 8.

Lo! I in simplicity
Receive Thy gracious word,
What it means I leave to Thee
My sanctifying Lord:

336

I shall know at that glad day
When born of God I sin no more,
Ceaseless in Thy Spirit pray,
And in Thy truth adore.

967. [What cannot the Almighty do?]

O let not mine heart be inclined to any evil thing. —cxli. 4.

What cannot the Almighty do?
When by the greatness of Thy power
My heart, O Lord, Thou dost renew,
My heart shall yield to sin no more,
Shall never more to sin incline,
For ever fill'd with love Divine.

968. [My evil inclination]

My evil inclination
Canst Thou not, Lord, remove,
My every earthly passion
Subdue by heavenly love?
I know that Thou art greater
Than this proud sensual heart;
Come then, and change my nature,
And bid my sin depart.

Thy promise I confide in
An end of sin to see;
Sin shall no more reside in
An heart possess'd by Thee;
Come, finish the transgression,
And fill Thy hallow'd shrine,
And keep entire possession,
Essential Love Divine.

969. [My heart to every ill inclined]

My heart to every ill inclined
Continually I feel;
Enmity against God my mind,
Rebellion is my will.

337

But Christ omnipotent in grace,
Can slay the enmity,
And turn my heart to holiness,
And plant His mind in me.

Jesus, Thou hast the faith bestow'd,
In which to Thee I pray;
The dire impediment to good
For ever take away;
The stubborn pulse, the cause within,
The stumbling-block remove,
And form my soul averse from sin,
And mould me into love.

No longer then to evil prone,
I shall to goodness cleave,
Embrace my loving Lord alone,
And for Thy glory live;
The promise every moment feel,
The sinless nature given,
And do on earth Thy perfect will,
As angels do in heaven.

970. [My God, forsake me not at last]

In Thee is my trust, O cast not out my soul. —cxli. 9.

My God, forsake me not at last,
Nor into utter darkness cast
A soul that gasps for Thee:
When I my punishment have borne,
I humbly trust, Thou wilt return,
Thou wilt remember me.

971. [Infinite in compassion]

Consider my complaint, for I am brought very low. —cxlii. 7.

Infinite in compassion,
Consider my complaint,
While under condemnation,
And perishing for want:

338

I pour a mournful prayer,
For mercy, mercy sigh,
In depth of sad despair,
Just at the point to die.

Cause of my own undoing,
From Thee through sin I fell,
Rush'd on to endless ruin,
Debased myself to hell.
Yet, ere the pit devour,
For help I feebly call,
Brought down by Satan's power
Low as a soul can fall.

My most long-suffering Saviour,
Extend Thy arms of grace,
And manifest Thy favour
A prostrate wretch to raise.
My desperate soul's physician
If Thou vouchsafe to be,
From bottomless perdition
Redeem'd, I live for Thee.

972. [In unbelief confined]

Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give, &c. —cxlii. 9.

In unbelief confined,
Fast bound with nature's chain,
I cannot feel the Saviour kind,
Or love my God again;
Jesus, my spirit groans
From prison to get free,
Its vile ingratitude bemoans,
Its ignorance of Thee.

Into my dungeon's gloom
Emit one pitying ray,

339

And lo! at Thy command I come,
To see Thy joyous day.
If Thou Thyself reveal,
My soul exults in God,
And loosed from every bond I feel
My pardon through Thy blood.

My heart is clean, and free
From love of earthly things;
I taste the glorious liberty
Thy blood and Spirit brings;
My heart its Saviour knows,
Who doth the veil remove,
And bounds transported, and o'erflows
With thankfulness and love.

973. [My soul, till God His Spirit pours]

My soul gaspeth unto God as a thirsty land. —cxliii. 6.

My soul, till God His Spirit pours,
Gasps as a thirsty land for showers:
Jesus, Thy fainting follower see,
And send the gift received for me.
The promised Comforter bestow,
Let holy love my heart o'erflow,
And water'd by Thyself I rise,
Fair as Thy garden in the skies.

974. [I trust in Thee: for what?]

In Thee is my trust. —cxliii. 8.

I trust in Thee: for what?
To be redeem'd from sin;
From every wrinkle, every spot
Of self and pride within:
Jesus, I trust in Thee,
That when my work is done,
The servant with his Lord shall be,
A sharer of Thy throne.

340

975. [Jesus, Thy loving Spirit alone]

Let Thy loving Spirit lead me forth, &c. —cxliii. 10.

Jesus, Thy loving Spirit alone
Can lead me forth, and make me free,
Burst every bond through which I groan,
And set my heart at liberty:
Now let Thy Spirit bring me in,
And give Thy servant to possess
The land of rest from inbred sin,
The land of perfect righteousness.

976. [Glory and thanks to Him belongs]

I will sing a new song unto Thee, O God. —cxliv. 9.

Glory and thanks to Him belongs
Who left His throne above,
The new, the gospel-song of songs
Is due to Jesu's love:
Join all on earth in Jesu's praise,
And then to heaven repair,
To vie with the angelic race,
Or mend their anthems there.

977. [Jesus, the man's defender be]

It is He who delivereth from the sword. —cxliv. 10.

Jesus, the man's defender be
For whom I humbly pray,
Cover the head so dear to me
In battle's dangerous day;
When thousands fall on either hand,
Deliver from the sword,
And strengthen him by faith to stand
The soldier of the Lord.

978. [Jesus, Thou art my Lord, my God]

Blessed are the people who have the Lord, &c. —cxliv. 15.

Jesus, Thou art my Lord, my God,
And happy in Thy love I am:
The bliss Thou hast on me bestow'd
Remains in life and death the same;

341

The love to all Thy people given
Is present, and eternal heaven.

979. [The meanest then may mercy claim]

His mercy is over all His works. —cxlv. 9.

The meanest then may mercy claim:
I bring no other plea;
The meanest of Thy works I am,
And mercy find in Thee.

980. [Long as on earth by faith I live]

While I live, will I praise the Lord. —cxlvi. 1.

Long as on earth by faith I live,
Jehovah's praise I sing;
Honour, and thanks, and blessing give
To Christ, my God and King:
And when my voice is lost in death,
To better life restored,
I'll sing with my immortal breath
My glorious heavenly Lord.

981. [Our hymns shall record Immanuel's name]

As long as I have any being, I will sing, &c. —cxlvi. 1.

Our hymns shall record Immanuel's name,
The praise of our Lord, We live to proclaim;
And when we are driven To that happy place,
It still is our heaven To sing of His praise.

982. [Who our trust in princes place]

O put not your trust in princes, &c. —cxlvi. 2.

Who our trust in princes place,
On broken reeds we lean;
Greatest of the sinful race,
Yet still they are but men.
Weak as helpless infancy,
From every child of man I cease,
Nothing can they add to me
Of real happiness.

342

Ease to an afflicted soul
Thy creatures cannot give,
Make a wounded spirit whole,
Or help me to believe:
Jesus, I on Thee depend,
Who canst, and wilt my sins remove,
Help, and save me to the end,
By Thine almighty love.

983. [Jesus, the power belongs to Thee]

The Lord looseth men out of prison. —cxlvi. 7.

Jesus, the power belongs to Thee,
Set my imprison'd spirit free
From pride and passion's chain;
Thy Spirit breathe into my heart,
Then, then I shall be as Thou art,
And never sin again.

984. [Most tenderly affected]

Most tenderly affected
With human grief and pain,
The load of souls dejected
Jesus doth still sustain:
Lifts up His fallen creatures,
Gives to the blind their sight,
And breaks the prisoners' fetters,
And brings them forth to light.

Thy grace, and loving-kindness,
Saviour, extend to me,
To cure my spirit's blindness,
And set the captive free.
Out of my fall to raise me,
No more a slave, but son,
And with the children place me,—
Thine image, on Thy throne.

343

Make this the' accepted season,
The end of sin and grief,
And loose me out of prison,
And save from unbelief.
Reveal my sins forgiven,
Thy name, O Love, declare;
And lift me up to heaven,
And crown with glory there.

985. [How pleasant a thing]

A joyful and pleasant thing it is to be thankful. —cxlvii. 1.

How pleasant a thing
With thanksgiving to sing,
As with joy from the vale we remove!
But pleasanter still
When we stand on the hill,
And give thanks to our Saviour above!

986. [He heals the broken heart]

He healeth those that are broken in heart. —cxlvii. 3.

He heals the broken heart;
But first He breaks the whole:
Now Lord, Thy grace impart
Impoverishing my soul,
And then set up Thy kingdom here,
And glorious on Thy throne appear.

987. [The Father in His saints delights]

The Lord hath pleasure in His people. —cxlix. 4.

The Father in His saints delights
Delighted in His Son,
For whom true love to Christ unites
They all with Christ are one.

988. [Breathe in praise of your Creator]

Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. —cl. 6.

Breathe in praise of your Creator,
Every soul His honours raise,

344

Magnify the Lord of nature,
Magnify the God of grace,
Hallelujah,
Fill the universe with praise!

PROVERBS.

989. [The world on every side entice]

If sinners entice thee, consent thou not. —i. 10.

The world on every side entice,
But do not thou consent,
Resolved to shun the paths of vice,
And 'scape the punishment:
Renounce the vile, abandon'd race,
From Satan's factors flee,
And let them go to their own place,
Without thy company.

990. [Thee I confess, my God, my Guide]

In all thy ways acknowledge Him, &c. —iii. 6.

Thee I confess, my God, my Guide,
Throughout my various course below;
Thou hast my countless wants supplied,
Redeem'd me from my stronger foe;
Preserved in twice ten thousand snares,
And number'd all my precious hairs.

A favourite child of Providence,
Thy charge I from my birth have been;
Thine arms were my secure defence,
Thy goodness held me back from sin:
And all my life was plann'd above
By wisdom pure, and heavenly love.

In every state, in every turn
Of life, Thy ruling hand I see:
A sinful man, to trouble born,
I own the trouble came from Thee:

345

My Saviour, to this present hour
I recognise Thy guardian power.

Thee I adore, my sovereign Lord,
Disposer of this passive clay,
Who by Thy never-failing word
Hast promised to direct my way;
And lo! I on Thy word depend
To bless me with a peaceful end.

The weary steps that still remain,
Cheerful I take, by Thee upheld,
Walk in the works Thou dost ordain,
Obedient to Thy will reveal'd,
And mark, in each minute event,
Thy wisdom's aim, Thy love's intent.

Keeping my heavenly Guide in view,
I calmly pass the vale of woe;
With steady faith the prize pursue,
Assured Thou wilt not let me go,
But through the paths of righteousness
Conduct me to that glorious place.

991. [Worldly wretch, let go thy hold]

With all thy getting get understanding. —iv. 7.

Worldly wretch, let go thy hold,
Grasp at earth, at air, no more!
Get the' imperishable gold,
Wisdom's never-failing store:
One of wisdom's mines possess'd
Can no other riches see,
Cries, “Who will may take the rest,
Christ is wealth enough for me!”

992. [Shall we mistake the morning-ray]

The path of the just is as the shining light, &c. —iv. 18.

Shall we mistake the morning-ray
Of grace for the full blaze of day?

346

Or humbly walk in Jesu's sight,
Glad to receive the gradual light,
More of His grace and more to know,
In faith and in experience grow,
Till all the life of Christ we prove,
And lose ourselves in perfect love!

And the sudden. J.W.

993. [Shall I in Thy care confide]

Keep thy heart with all diligence. —iv. 23.

Shall I in Thy care confide
As superseding mine;
Or, if watchful I abide,
Assume the praise Divine?
No; if now I use Thy grace,
The power of using is from Thee,
Thou dost work (I still confess)
To will, and do in me.

Grace vouchsafed for Jesu's sake,
O God, I now receive,
Power continually to wake,
And soberly to live:
Thus I keep with utmost care
The heart I every day resign,
Every hour, by faith and prayer
Into the hands Divine.

994. [Sluggard, out of thy sleep arise]

How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? &c. —vi. 9.

Sluggard, out of thy sleep arise,
While yet on earth, lift up thine eyes;
Awake, or thou shalt want ere long
A watery drop, to cool thy tongue;
Awake, or thou shalt shortly feel
The sleeper sleeps no more in hell.

347

995. [In early prayer who seek His love]

Those that seek Me early shall find Me. —viii. 17.

In early prayer who seek His love
Shall soon the grace of Jesus prove;
But who in sleep their pleasure take
Shall never find Him, when they wake.

996. [Who wills us, if His soul we love]

He that reproveth a scorner getteth, &c. —ix. 7.

Who wills us, if His soul we love,
Sin in a brother to reprove,
Forbids us to misspend our zeal
On a proud, harden'd infidel:
And who the precious truths Divine
Exposes to such dogs and swine,
Is by their scornful malice rent,
And well deserves his punishment.

Let us, with mild discerning eye,
Pity, and pass a scorner by;
Our rash censorious zeal restrain,
Nor hurt ourselves, nor him in vain.
But whom, divinely taught we spare,
Offer to God in silent prayer,
Who stones to children can convert,
And change, like ours, the proudest heart.

997. [The men to sin and Satan sold]

The heart of the wicked is little worth. —x. 20.

The men to sin and Satan sold
Desert us in the trying hour;
The miser sells his friend for gold,
The' ambitious barters him for power,
The sensualist for joys impure;
But while their flight the worldlings take,
The friendship of that man is sure
Who loves our souls for Jesu's sake.

348

998. [Of beauty vain, of wisdom void]

As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, &c. —xi. 22.

Of beauty vain, of wisdom void,
What art thou in the sight of God?
A slave to every base desire,
A creature wallowing in the mire!
Go, gaudy pageant of a day,
Thy folly with thy face display,
Put all thy charms and graces out,
And show the jewel—in thy snout!

999. [Through hope of perfect love delay'd]

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick. —xiii. 12.

Through hope of perfect love delay'd
Sick of desire my heart is made,
And cannot cannot rest,
Till Thou, the pardoning God, impress
In true substantial holiness
Thine image on my breast.

No longer, dearest Lord, defer,
But now the second time appear,
To save my soul again,
Come Father, Son, and Spirit come,
And in Thy meanest earthly home
Eternally remain.

1000.

[Thee, Lord, alone do I require]

When the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. —xiii. 12.

Thee, Lord, alone do I require,
My single wish, my sole desire
In earth and heaven Thou art;
Thy love supplies mine every want,
Come, O Thou Tree of life, and plant
An Eden in my heart.

349

1001.

[A mother principled with grace]

Every wise woman buildeth her house, &c. —xiv. 1.

A mother principled with grace,
With heavenly wisdom wise,
Her children from their earliest days
Builds up to reach the skies:
But ah! the fond indulgent fool,
Who loves her babes so well,
She breeds them up in nature's school,
And drags them down to hell.

1002.

[That careless fool am I]

Fools make a mock at sin. —xiv. 9.

That careless fool am I,
Who void of godly fear,
And making light of sin, defy
The heavenly Lawgiver:
O might I here be shock'd,
Before His wrath I feel,
Chased from the face of God, and mock'd
By all the fiends in hell.

1003.

[The fool in his own judgment wise]

The fool rageth, and is confident. —xiv. 16.

The fool in his own judgment wise
And good, and high in perfect grace,
His blind antagonists defies,
And rages at the faithless race,
Who cautious their assent suspend,
Expect the fruits, and wait the end.

On those who dare his word gainsay
Wild he lets loose his furious zeal;
Sure he himself can never stray,
He freely sends his foes to hell:
They must be all to Tophet driven,
He cannot miss his way to heaven.

350

Impatient of opposers, see
The infallible outrageous saint,
Proud of his fancied liberty,
Till in the trying hour he faint;
Too late his confidence let go,
And sink among the fools below.

1004.

[When God in man His Son reveals]

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance. —xv. 13.

When God in man His Son reveals,
And in the sinner's conscience seals
The pardon of his sin,
The sinner's heart with mirth o'erflows,
And on his cheerful face he shows
Heaven and Christ within.

He can no longer sigh, nor droop,
From hell to the third heaven caught up,
By his Redeemer's voice;
He only lives to pray and praise
And thank the Giver of all grace,
And evermore rejoice.

O Thou who into me art come
To chase their melancholy gloom,
Thy joyous heavenly love
To every child of man impart;
Merry as mine be every heart,
Merry as theirs above.

Then every countenance shall shine,
And hearts, and harps and voices join,
And saints and angels sing
To Him that sits upon the throne,
To Christ the Lamb, the glorious Son,
The everlasting King.

351

1005.

[Wisdom is the hoary hair]

The hoary head is a crown of glory,&c. —xvi. 31.

Wisdom is the hoary hair;
And who in Christ are found,
They His diadem shall wear,
With life and glory crown'd:
O might I my Lord obey,
Through Jesu's righteousness forgiven,
Still abide in Christ my way,
And walk with God to heaven!

1006.

[Jesus, Thy name is my strong tower]

The name of the Lord is a strong tower, &c. —xviii. 10.

Jesus, Thy name is my strong tower,
To which I still in danger run,
Thy name is Love, and Truth, and Power
To all Thy faithful people known:
Salvation in Thy name I find,
And leave the world and sin behind.

Less than Thy least of mercies I
A grain of faith from Thee receive,
And while I on Thy name rely,
Beyond the reach of hell I live:
My strength, the joy Thy smiles impart,
Thy peace doth garrison my heart.

To this stronghold whoever turn,
Within salvation's walls they dwell:
Their castle laughs a siege to scorn,
And from my tower impregnable
I mark the alien host beneath,
I mock the darts of hell and death.

The Truth determined to obey,
Continuing steadfast in the Word,
I in my rock and fortress stay,
(My rock and fortress is the Lord,)

352

And feel my life secured above,
And rest in Thy almighty love.

1007.

[Who can a wounded spirit sustain]

A wounded spirit who can bear? —xviii. 14.

Who can a wounded spirit sustain,
When Jesus fainting on the tree
Confess'd the' insufferable pain,
Complain'd “Thou hast forsaken Me!”
He fainted, to support my load,
He died to' obtain my pardon seal'd;
And now I feel His balmy blood,
And by His wounds my soul is heal'd.

1008.

[Father, how kind Thou art]

My son, give Me thine heart. —xxiii. 26.

Father, how kind Thou art,
To ask my evil heart!
But yet Thou dost; and I
Have found the reason why:
Thou want'st to make it good,
By washing it in blood,
And then to reign alone
Upon Thy favourite throne.

1009.

[Not every day, but oft, he falls]

A just man falleth seven times. —xxiv. 16.

Not every day, but oft, he falls,
Not into sin, but great distress;
Out of the deep to Jesus calls,
And finds in Him returning peace,
Peace which the world can never give,
Can never violate, or conceive.

The just man falls to rise again,
And sit enthroned with Christ above,
Saved in a way of grief and pain,
Through sufferings perfected in love,

353

He falls—into a sea of blood,
He falls—into the depths of God!

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,

354

Confer the gracious, full reward,
The plaudit of your heavenly Lord.

1011.

[Bray'd in trouble's mortar I]

Bray a fool in a mortar, yet will not, &c. —xxvii. 22.

Bray'd in trouble's mortar I
For half an age have been,
Yet myself I cannot fly,
Or disengage from sin:
What can heal this foolish heart,
Make me wise, and just, and good?
Me and sin for ever part?
A drop of Jesu's blood.

1012.

[This happiness be mine]

Happy is the man that feareth alway. —xxviii. 14.

This happiness be mine,
Continually to fear
The power of righteous wrath Divine,
And fly from evil near:
And when Thou dost forgive,
Let this, O Lord, improve
My tender childlike fear to grieve,
Or sin against Thy love.

1013.

[Have I not always fear'd]

Have I not always fear'd
The anger of the Lord?
Thy voice I first from Sinai heard,
And trembled at Thy word.

In childhood's earliest hour,
I sunk through sore dismay,
At thought of Thy vindictive power,
And that tremendous day.

The thunders of Thy law,
And secret checks within,
Restrain'd, and kept my soul in awe,
And held me back from sin.

355

By young corrupters lured
To bolder lengths in vice,
I shrunk protected, and secured
Through sacred cowardice.

By Moses doom'd to die
O how was I distress'd,
My fears of death, and judgment nigh,
A thousand-fold increased!

My inbred hell was stirr'd
And horribly afraid,
I saw the just, avenging sword
Hang o'er my guilty head.

Of sad tormenting fear
The spirit I received,
And many a miserable year
In cruel bondage lived.

1014.

[If a fond credulous fool thou art]

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool. —xxviii. 26.

If a fond credulous fool thou art,
Sinner, for trusting thy own heart,
Can wisdom's praise to thee belong,
For trusting in another's tongue?

1015.

[Thou to me, O God, hast sent]

Give me neither poverty nor riches. —xxx. 8.

Thou to me, O God, hast sent
Food, and raiment, and content;
Yet for farther grace I sue,
For poverty, and riches too:
Both, and both at once, I want:
Poverty of spirit grant,
And fill me, Father, from above
With all the riches of Thy love.

356

ECCLESIASTES.

1016.

[Taught by long experience, Lord]

Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. —i. 2.

Taught by long experience, Lord,
By Thy Spirit taught, I see
True is Thy severest word,
All on earth is vanity,
Empty all our bliss below,
Seeming bliss, but real woe.

Turning then from earth away,
Seeks my soul the joys above,
Solid joys without allay;
Saviour, in Thy heart-felt love
Heavenly comfort I possess,
True, substantial happiness.

Now I find the good of man,
Now I answer Thy design,
All in Thee alone obtain,
Plenitude of grace Divine,
Plenitude of glory too,
Thee when face to face I view!

1017.

[Father, Thou dost not gladly grieve]

In the day of adversity consider. —vii. 14.

Father, Thou dost not gladly grieve,
Or put Thy prodigal to pain;
My needful chastening I receive,
A sinful, thoughtless child of man;
To think, afflicted, I begin,
Study the meaning of Thy rod,
Review my life, renounce my sin,
And turn with all my heart to God.

357

1018.

[Upright both in heart and will]

God hath made man upright; but they have, &c. —vii. 29.

Upright both in heart and will
We by our God were made,
But we turn'd from good to ill,
And o'er the creatures stray'd,
Multiplied our wandering thought,
Which first was fix'd on God alone,
In ten thousand objects sought
The bliss we lost in one.

From our own inventions vain
Of fancied happiness,
Draw us to Thyself again,
And bid our wanderings cease,
Jesus, speak our souls restored
By love's Divine simplicity,
Re-united to our Lord,
And wholly lost in Thee.

1019.

[Nor swiftness can secure the race]

The race is not to the swift, nor the battle, &c. —ix. 11.

Nor swiftness can secure the race,
Nor strength the battle win,
We get the victory by grace
O'er hell, the world, and sin:
Jesus, we borrow it from Thee,
The power to fight and run;
Thou therefore shalt exalted be
Who all our works hast done!

My utmost strength when I exert,
My utmost strength must fail,
Unless Thou take the sinner's part,
I never can prevail:

358

But sure I reach the heavenly goal,
If Thou support and guide:
And sanctified by Thee, my soul
Is wholly sanctified.

1020.

[Can aught we do in faith, or give]

Cast thy bread upon the waters, &c. —xi. 1.

Can aught we do in faith, or give
To man, for Jesu's sake, be lost?
We shall an hundred-fold receive,
Who in Thy faithful promise trust;
The fruit of all our toils at last
Assured we are on earth to see,
Or when the days of time are pass'd,
To find it in eternity.

1021.

[But how much pleasanter to see]

A pleasant thing it is, to behold the sun. —xi. 7.

But how much pleasanter to see,
(When time its course hath run,)
To gaze with eagle's eye on Thee
Our uncreated Sun!
Thee let me now through faith behold,
And by reflection shine,
Till nature's dross is turn'd to gold,
And I am all Divine.

1022.

[Fain would I in my earliest days]

Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth. —xii. 1.

Fain would I in my earliest days
Be mindful of my God,
My God who made me by His grace,
And bought me with His blood:
That young I may observe Thy word,
And not in age depart,
Come, O my dear redeeming Lord,
And dwell within my heart.

359

1023.

[Father, that I may keep Thy law]

Fear God, and keep His commandments, &c. —xii. 13.

Father, that I may keep Thy law,
Inspire me with a filial awe,
And show the perfect way
Which all the duty doth contain,
And all the happiness of man,
To fear and to obey.

THE SONG OF SOLOMON.

1024.

[Hence ye profane! far off remove]

The song of songs, which is Solomon's. —i. 1.

Hence ye profane! far off remove
Ye strangers to redeeming love,
Sinners, who Jesus never knew,
The song of songs is not for you!
Away ye worldly goats and swine,
Who trample on this pearl Divine,
Which only wisdom's sons esteem,
While fools and infidels blaspheme.

With deepest shame, with humblest fear,
I to Thine oracle draw near,
To meet Thee in the holiest place,
To learn the secret of Thy grace:
Now, Lord, explain the mystery,
Display Thy precious Self to me,
And when Thou dost the veil remove,
My heart shall sing the song of love.

Thou heavenly Solomon Divine,
To teach the song of songs is Thine,
Thy Spirit alone the depths reveals,
Opens the book, and breaks the seals:

360

O might I find the bar removed,
And love my Lord as I am loved,
This moment gain my heart's desire,
The next within Thine arms expire!

1025.

[Jesus, Thy precious love I need]

Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth. —i. 2.

Jesus, Thy precious love I need,
The church's Husband and her Head,
To me Thy love impart;
I wait the reconciling kiss,
Which seals in purity and peace
My pardon on my heart.

Unveil the beauties of Thy face,
Those blessed lips, replete with grace,
To my poor soul apply;
Ten thousand, thousand kisses give,
And let me in Thy favour live,
And in Thy favour die.

1026.

[Fruit of the true immortal Vine]

Thy love is better than wine. —i. 2.

Fruit of the true immortal Vine,
Thy love, that new celestial wine,
Is on Thy bride bestow'd;
Thy love the joy of angels is,
And fills with everlasting bliss
The heart of man and God.

1027.

[Sweet is the odour of Thy grace]

Thy name is as ointment poured forth, &c. —i. 3.

Sweet is the odour of Thy grace;
Thy name pour'd forth fills all the place
With heavenly fragrancy:
Thy precious name the virgins love,
Drawn by that unction from above,
They run, they cleave to Thee.

361

Thy people saved are virgins wise,
They see Thy face with ravish'd eyes,
When faith hath purged their heart;
Cleansed by the water and the word
Thy saints from their beloved Lord
Nor life nor death shall part.

1028.

[Drawn by my Redeemer's love]

Draw me, we will run after Thee. —i. 4.

Drawn by my Redeemer's love
After Him I follow fast,
Drawn from earth to things above,
Drawn out of myself at last,
Runs my soul, and mounts, and flies,
Meets, and grasps Him in the skies!

1029.

[Draw me, and I with vigour new]

Draw me, and I with vigour new
Will my alluring God pursue;
But Thou dost draw me still,
How else could I Thyself require
Or offer Thee this faint desire
Thy precious love to feel?

The spark which from Thy Spirit came,
The dying spark into a flame,
O let Thy Spirit raise;
Then, then I after Thee shall run,
And grasp my Saviour on the throne,
And see Thy heavenly face.

1030.

[Me if to myself Thou leave]

Me if to myself Thou leave,
I cannot, Lord, aspire;
Cannot one good thought conceive,
Or one sincere desire.

362

But if by Thy light I know
My nature's desperate helplessness,
Thou who dost the want bestow
Wilt give the wanted grace.

That I heavenward may move,
The motion now begin;
Draw me by the cords of love,
Out of the toils of sin.
Draw me to the land unknown,
Beyond the world and Satan's power
Then I after Thee shall run,
And never linger more.

1031.

[Thou Shepherd of Israel, and mine]

Tell me, O Thou whom my soul loveth, &c. —i. 7.

Thou Shepherd of Israel, and mine,
The joy and desire of my heart,
For closer communion I pine,
I long to reside where Thou art;
The pasture I languish to find
Where all, who their Shepherd obey,
Are fed, on Thy bosom reclined,
Are screen'd from the heat of the day.

Ah, show me that happiest place,
That place of Thy people's abode,
Where saints in an ecstasy gaze,
And hang on a crucified God:
Thy love for a sinner declare,
Thy passion and death on the tree,
My spirit to Calvary bear,
To suffer, and triumph, with Thee.

'Tis there with the lambs of Thy flock,
There only I covet to rest,

363

To lie at the foot of the Rock,
Or rise to be hid in Thy breast;
'Tis there I would always abide,
And never a moment depart,
Conceal'd in the cleft of Thy side,
Eternally held in Thy heart.

1032.

[Happy beneath the Vine I sit]

His fruit was sweet to my taste. —ii. 3.

Happy beneath the Vine I sit,
And will not from His shade remove,
His fruit unto my taste is sweet,
The' experience of His dying love;
But sweeter far, when what I taste
Becomes in heaven my endless feast.

1033.

[Me, His own, so dearly bought]

He brought me to the banqueting house, &c. —ii. 4.

Me, His own, so dearly bought,
The King into His house hath brought:
Here He banquets with His bride
Happy at my Bridegroom's side;
Here He boasts His victory,
Triumphs in His love for me;
And heaven begun on earth I prove
Under the banner of His love!

1034.

[The voice of my Beloved sounds]

The voice of my Beloved! —ii. 8.

The voice of my Beloved sounds,
While o'er the mountain-tops He bounds,
He flies exulting o'er the hills,
And all my soul with transport fills!
Gently doth He chide my stay,
“Rise, My love, and come away.”

364

1035.

[The scatter'd clouds are fled at last]

Lo, the winter is past, the rain is gone, &c. —ii. 11.

The scatter'd clouds are fled at last,
The rain is gone, the winter pass'd,
The lovely vernal flowers appear,
The warbling choir enchant our ear:
Now with sweetly pensive moan,
Cooes the turtle-dove alone.

1036.

[Jesus my love, my life, my peace]

My Beloved is mine, and I am His. —ii. 16.

Jesus my love, my life, my peace,
Jesus is mine, and I am His,
His bride, His dear-bought property,
Who loved, and gave Himself for me,
Joy, and glory of my soul,
While eternal ages roll!

1037.

[O what shall I do to retrieve]

Saw ye Him whom my soul loveth? —iii. 3.

O what shall I do to retrieve
The love for a season bestow'd?
'Tis better to die, than to live
Exiled from the presence of God:
With sorrow distracted and doubt,
With palpable horror oppress'd,
The city I wander about,
And seek my repose in His breast.

Ye watchmen of Israel, declare
If ye my Beloved have seen,
And point to that heavenly Fair,
Surpassing the children of men:
My Lover and Lord from above,
Who only can quiet my pain,
Whom only I languish to love,
O where shall I find Him again!

365

The joy and desire of mine eyes,
The end of my sorrow and woe,
My hope, and my heavenly prize,
My height of ambition below,
Once more if He show me His face,
He never again shall depart,
Detain'd in my closest embrace,
Conceal'd in the depth of my heart.

1038.

[I found Him—crucified for me]

I found Him whom my soul loveth. —iii. 4.

I found Him—crucified for me,
My Love, whom all true hearts adore!
Ah, nail me, Saviour, to that tree,
And I shall never lose Thee more!

1039.

[I hold Him with a trembling hand]

I held Him, and would not let Him go. —iii. 4.

I hold Him with a trembling hand,
But till His face He show,
And bring me to the heavenly land,
I will not let Him go.

1040.

[Whate'er the' Almighty wills is done]

Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee. —iv. 7.

Whate'er the' Almighty wills is done,
Thy word and deed, O Lord, are one:
O speak into my heart the grace,
The true, substantial righteousness;
Fulfil that blessed word in me,
“There is no spot of sin in thee,”
And bid me, like my Saviour, shine
In perfect comeliness Divine.

1041.

[Ye daughters of Sion, declare]

I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, &c. —v. 8.

Ye daughters of Sion, declare
(When ye my Beloved have found)
My burden of sorrow and care,
My painful, incurable wound!

366

Ah, tell Him, it cannot be heal'd,
Till Jesus appear from above;
I faint for His mercy reveal'd,
I die for a taste of His love!

1042.

[Jesus, my balm for every ill]

His lips are like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh. —v. 13.

Jesus, my balm for every ill,
My life in death Thou art;
Thy lips, as lilies pale, distil
The myrrh that heals my heart.

1043.

[So dearly-bought I must be Thine]

I am my Beloved's, and my Beloved is mine. —vi. 3.

So dearly-bought I must be Thine:
But tell me, Lord, that Thou art mine,
If mine indeed Thou art,
If Thou hast given Thyself for me,
To make me capable of Thee,
O speak it—in my heart.

1044.

[Lo, the church with gradual light]

Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, &c. —vi. 10.

Lo, the church with gradual light
Her opening charms displays,
After a long dreary night
Looks forth with glimmering rays,
Scarce perceptible appears,
Until the Day-spring from on high
All the face of nature cheers,
And gladdens earth and sky.

Fair as the unclouded moon,
With borrow'd rays she shines,
Shines, but ah! she changes soon,
And when at full declines,

367

Frequent, long eclipses feels,
Till Jesus drives the shades away,
All her doubts and sins dispels,
And brings the perfect day.

Now she without spot appears,
For Christ appears again,
Sun of Righteousness, He clears
His church from every stain.
Rising in full majesty
He blazes with meridian light:
All the' horizon laughs to see
The joyous heavenly sight.

Bright with lustre not her own
The woman now admire,
Clothed with that eternal Sun
Which sets the worlds on fire!
Bright she shall for ever shine,
Enjoying, like the church above,
All the light of truth Divine,
And all the fire of love.

From her dark, inconstant state
To perfect love restored,
Stands the church divinely great,
The army of the Lord,
Wide His bloody sign displays;
And lo the hosts of Satan fall;
Terrible in holiness
She more than conquers all.

Who shall live to see that day
Of her Redeemer's power?
Jesus, come; no more delay
Thy kingdom to restore!

368

Or if first to rest I go,
Yet let me in that day appear,
Meanest of Thy saints below,
Thy saints triumphant here!

1045.

[Who is this we see ascend]

Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, &c. —viii. 5.

Who is this we see ascend
From the desolate wilderness,
Leaning on her Bosom-friend,
Weeping till His face she sees:
Scattering all her griefs and fears,
Lo, He lays the veil aside,
Wipes away His church's tears,
Shows her His unspotted bride.

Thus, out of its state forlorn
Every soul on Christ reclined
Shall with Him at last return,
Leave its cares and sins behind:
Thus by Jesu's arm sustain'd
I shall with my Lord be bless'd,
Rise into that holiest land,
Perfect love's eternal rest.

ISAIAH.

1046.

[Hear, heaven and earth, your God's appeal]

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, &c. —i. 2.

Hear, heaven and earth, your God's appeal,
(Jehovah to His creature cries,)
Angels and men, My justice tell,
When all My storms of vengeance rise
To plague a vile rebellious race,
Apostates from My richest grace.

369

Children I have nursed up and bred,
Mark'd with the new, the Christian name,
But lo! the base degenerate seed
Impatient to divulge their shame,
Their foul ingratitude to prove,
Have spurn'd the bowels of My love.

Who are they? J.W.

1047.

[The thoughtless brute his master knows]

The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass, &c. —i. 3.

The thoughtless brute his master knows,
And loves the hand that gives him food;
But Me, from whom their being flows,
Sole Author of their total good,
The Lord, and Friend of all mankind,
My people have not sense to find.

Duller than beasts the human herd,
Though fed with blessings from above,
My people pay Me no regard,
Nor own My providential love,
Nor for their kind Preserver care
In whom they live, and move, and are.

1048.

[Ah! why should ye be stricken more?]

Why should ye be stricken any more? &c. —i. 5.

Ah! why should ye be stricken more?
Seems our God to give us o'er,
As past His reach of grace,
When mercy's kind intent is cross'd,
And all His chastisements are lost
On such an harden'd race.

1049.

[Corrupt alas, in every part]

The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint, &c. —i. 5, 6.

Corrupt alas, in every part,
Sick the head, and faint the heart
Through sin's severe disease!

370

From head to foot the fallen man
Is full of leprosy and pain,
And desperate wickedness.

Selfish, and proud, in mind and will
Nature's loathsomeness we feel
Throughout our dying soul,
Bruises, and wounds, and putrid sores,
Till Gilead's bleeding balm restores,
And Jesus speaks us whole.

1050.

[Had not the Lord reserved a seed]

Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us, &c. —i. 9.

Had not the Lord reserved a seed,
A remnant saved by sovereign grace,
His judgments shower'd upon our head,
Had swallow'd up the British race,
Sunk us beneath the ambient wave,
And buried in a fiery grave.

1051.

[Let Sodom's governors give ear]

Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom, &c. —i. 10.

Let Sodom's governors give ear,
And tremble at Jehovah's word,
Ye people of Gomorrah, hear
The charge of an almighty Lord,
Heathens, who bear the Christian name,
But turn your glory into shame.

1052.

[What profit your religious shows]

To what purpose is the multitude of your, &c. —i. 11.

What profit your religious shows,
Your empty form of godliness?
Externals may on man impose,
But cannot a pure Spirit please;
Fit worship for an holy God,
As fat of lambs, and bullocks' blood!

371

1053.

[Away with your oblations vain]

When ye come to appear before Me, &c. —i. 12.

Away with your oblations vain,
Who only with your lips draw near,
Trample My courts, My house profane,
And loathsome in My sight appear:
Ye make the outside fair and clean;
Ye come to see, and to be seen!

Your means (of sin, instead) of grace,
Your feasts and festivals impure,
Your holy, bacchanalian days
My soul is weary to endure,
Your sabbaths, and assemblies gay,
Who mock Me, while they seem to pray.

1054.

[That solemn mystery Divine]

It is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. —i. 13.

That solemn mystery Divine,
Wherein ye should My death record,
Ye sink into a lifeless sign,
Nor once discern your present Lord;
Ye tear My flesh, and shed My blood,
And turn to bane the heavenly food.

1055.

[My favour and good-will to gain]

When ye spread forth your hands, &c. —i. 15.

My favour and good-will to gain,
Through all your round of forms ye run,
Service to service join in vain,
By sinful prayers for sin to' atone:
From such I turn My glorious eyes;
I hate your heartless sacrifice.

1056.

[In vain your longest prayers ye say]

When ye make many prayers, I will not hear, &c. —i. 15.

In vain your longest prayers ye say,
Regardless of your Lord's commands,
Who will not put your sins away,
Yet show to heaven your lifted hands;

372

Your lifted hands are full of blood,
Your heart of hatred against God.

Ye hate My truths and witnesses,
Me, Me, in them ye vex and grieve;
My members persecute, oppress,
And reckon them not fit to live;
Murderers, who in your works confide,
As God were pleased with fratricide.

1057.

[Ourselves how can we purify?]

Wash you, make you clean; put away, &c. —i. 16, 17.

Ourselves how can we purify?
Thy word doth power convey,
And while we on Thy word rely,
We cast our sins away;
From sinful acts our hands we cleanse,
The cursed thing remove,
Bring forth the fruits of penitence,
And wait Thy pardoning love.

Jesus, if Thou Thy power bestow,
From evil deeds we cease,
And learn in all the paths to go
Of legal righteousness:
But draw us on by hope and fear,
Till weary and oppress'd,
The reconciling word we hear,
And find the gospel-rest.

1058.

[Who would not quit his sins for Thee]

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord. —i. 18.

Who would not quit his sins for Thee,
Who would not, Lord, believe,
If such Thy cogent reason be,
“Come, for I will forgive”?

373

Thy reason shall the world convince,
When they Thy reason know,
And purge them from their crimson sins,
And make them saints below.

1059.

[Jesus, to Thy wounds I fly]

Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be, &c. —i. 18.

Jesus, to Thy wounds I fly,
Purge my sins of deepest dye;
Lamb of God, for sinners slain,
Wash away my crimson stain,
Plunge me in the sacred flood,
In that fountain of Thy blood;
Then Thy Father's eye shall see
No one spot of guilt in me.

1060.

[Messias, Prince of Peace]

Neither shall they learn war any more. —ii. 4.

Messias, Prince of Peace,
Where men each other tear,
Where war is learn'd they must confess
Thy kingdom is not there:
Who prompted by Thy foe
Delight in human blood,
Apollyon is their king, they shew,
And Satan is their God.

But shall he still devour
The souls redeem'd by Thee?
Jesus, stir up Thy glorious power,
And end the' apostasy;
Come, Saviour, from above
O'er all the earth to reign,
And plant the kingdom of Thy love
In every heart of man.

374

Then shall we exercise
The hellish art no more,
While Thou our long-lost paradise
Dost with Thyself restore;
Fightings and wars shall cease,
And in Thy Spirit given
Pure joy, and everlasting peace
Shall turn our earth to heaven.

1061.

[Come, if the Sun of Righteousness]

Come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord. —ii. 5.

Come, if the Sun of Righteousness
Hath chased our nature's night,
Let us His cheering influence bless,
And walk in Christ the Light;
Warm'd and directed by His rays,
His Spirit and His word,
Walk after Christ to see the face
Of our triumphant Lord.

1062.

[Thou who all our works hast wrought]

The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, &c. —ii. 17.

Thou who all our works hast wrought
Shouldst be extoll'd alone:
Every self-exalting thought
In us, O Christ, bring down;
Nature's subtlest pride abase,
The self-deluded crowd reprove,
Boasters of their richest grace,
And of their perfect love.

1063.

[Son of Man, we long to see]

The Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. —ii. 17.

Son of Man, we long to see
Thy last and brightest day:
When, O when shall all things be
Subjected to Thy sway?

375

On all flesh Thy Spirit shower,
That every soul its Lord may own
Seated in full glorious power
On Thy millennial throne!

1064.

[But when, most gracious God, and true]

The idols He shall utterly abolish. —ii. 18.

But when, most gracious God, and true,
Wilt Thou the work of wonder show,
The man of sin reveal,
And then Thy glorious power exert,
Destroy the idols in my heart,
And their destruction seal?

Manner and time I leave to Thee,
Humbly assured the thing shall be,
Through love's almighty power,
Thou wilt destroy whate'er is I,
Self, nature, unbelief shall die,
And pride shall be no more.

1065.

[When the just God, the Lord most high]

They shall go into the holes of the rocks, &c. —ii. 19.

When the just God, the Lord most high,
Rises to shake both earth and sky,
How shall the world His anger shun,
Or whither for protection run!

In vain to screen you from His eye,
Ye to the rocks and mountains cry;
The rocks are melted by His fire,
The mountains touch'd in smoke expire.

But while the Judge a moment stays,
That moment snatch to sue for grace:
And lo! to save you from your fear,
The everlasting Rock is near!

376

Enter, ye guilty slaves of sin,
The Rock is rent to take you in,
There, there your trembling spirits hide,
And safety find in Jesu's side!

1066.

[Jesus, to my heart explain]

Cease ye from man. —ii. 22.

Jesus, to my heart explain
What it is to cease from man,
Born in sin and misery,
Born a sad reverse of Thee!

Nothing great may I admire,
Nothing good in man require,
Never worship or esteem,
Never trust myself, or him.

Cut off my dependence vain
On the help of mortal man:
One who as a shadow flies,
One who in a moment dies.

But Thou dost for ever live,
Wherefore to Thyself I cleave,
Good and all-sufficient own,
Love, and trust in God alone.

1067.

[If God to one of all our race]

What could have been done more, &c. —v. 4.

If God to one of all our race
Deny sufficiency of grace,
Withhold the sin-forsaking power,
Sinners to save He might do more;
But if on the whole world He call,
Sincerely offering life to all,
Who spurn His grace, their Lord deny,
And, self-destroy'd, they justly die.

377

What could have been done less, to save
Lost sinners from the' infernal grave,
If God did to destruction doom,
And damn'd us from our mother's womb?
Or if He only pass'd us by,
And left us unredeem'd to die,
Poor souls to save, we must confess,
His love could never have done less.

1068.

[Doth Christ expect what cannot be]

Wherefore, when I looked that it should bring, &c. —v. 4.

Doth Christ expect what cannot be,
Good fruit out of an evil tree?
The evil tree may then be good,
And flourish, water'd by His blood;
Whoe'er the Christian faith profess
May bring forth fruits of righteousness,
And answer all their Lord's design,
As branches of the heavenly Vine.

1069.

[Ah, woe is me, immersed in sin]

Here am I; send me. —vi. 8.

Ah, woe is me, immersed in sin,
A man of lips and life unclean!
How shall I with Thy message run,
Or preach the pardoning God unknown?
Unless my God vouchsafe to cheer
His guilty trembling messenger,
My fears disperse, my sins remove,
And purge me by the fire of love!

O wouldst Thou touch my lips once more,
The comfort of Thy grace restore,
Assure me, Lord, that mine Thou art,
And stamp forgiveness on my heart;

378

Then should I in my Jesu's name
Glad tidings of great joy proclaim,
Of grace, which every soul may find,
And glory bought for all mankind.

1070.

[Oft by Thy judgments shook]

The holy seed shall be the substance of it [i.e. the oak]. —vi. 13.

Oft by Thy judgments shook,
Thine anger's furious blast,
The sturdy British oak
Its wither'd leaves hath cast;
Yet did its substance still remain,
For Jesus doth His church sustain.

Still may the holy seed
Our firm protection be,
And through our nation spread,
And prop the falling tree,
Till to our utmost height we rise,
By Christ transplanted to the skies.

1071.

[As children we continue long]

If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be, &c. —vii. 9.

As children we continue long,
And feebly o'er the desert rove,
Who doubt Thy power to make us strong,
Thy will to perfect us in love:
But if I can confide in Thee,
Thou wilt Thine hallowing grace exert,
Settle, confirm, and stablish me,
And fix Thy nature in my heart.

1072.

[O Thou that hid'st Thy face]

I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth, &c. —viii. 17.

O Thou that hid'st Thy face
Even from the chosen race,

379

Calmly after Thee I grieve,
Wait Thy coming from above,
Hoping against hope believe,
Till I find the God of love.

Disconsolate, forsook,
For Thee alone I look:
Only Thou my heart canst cheer,
Comfort with Thyself restore;
Show Thyself the Comforter,
Come, and never leave me more.

1073.

[Thou dost indeed conceal Thy face]

Thou dost indeed conceal Thy face,
Even from the people of Thy love,
Abate the rapturous sense of grace,
Their faith and patient hope to prove;
To make them trust a God unseen,
And know themselves to be but men.

If Thou my pardoning God appear,
In pleasant ways I hasten on;
If Thou withdraw Thy comforts here,
I walk by naked faith alone,
I ask, What makes my Lord depart?
I miss Thy presence from my heart.

O that I every moment might
Thy presence, or Thy absence, feel!
Walk on triumphant in Thy light,
Or desolate in darkness dwell;
Happy in Thy enjoyment be,
Or wretched through the want of Thee.

380

Only from sin my soul restrain,
Restrain'd from sin I ask no more;
But suffering like the Mournful Man,
My Pattern on the cross adore,
A moment with my Saviour grieve,
In endless joy with Thee to live.

1074.

[Doctrines, experiences to try]

To the law and to the testimony. —viii. 20.

Doctrines, experiences to try,
We to the sacred standard fly,
Assured the Spirit of our Lord
Can never contradict His word:
Whate'er His Spirit speaks in me,
Must with the written word agree;
If not—I cast it all aside,
As Satan's voice, or nature's pride.

The test of truth and righteousness,
O God, Thy records we confess,
And who Thine oracles gainsay
Have miss'd the right celestial way:
Their pardon sure they vainly boast,
In nature sunk, in darkness lost;
Or if they of perfection dream,
The light of grace is not in them.

1075.

[The people that in darkness lay]

The people that walked in darkness, &c. —ix. 2.

The people that in darkness lay,
The confines of eternal night,
We, we have seen the gospel day,
The glorious beams of heavenly light,
His Spirit in our hearts hath shone,
And show'd the Father in the Son.

381

1076.

[Father of everlasting grace]

Thou hast multiplied the nation, &c. —ix. 3.

Father of everlasting grace,
Thou hast in us Thy arm reveal'd,
Hast multiplied the faithful race,
Who conscious of our pardon seal'd,
Of joy unspeakable possess'd,
Anticipate our heavenly rest.

1077.

[In tears who sow'd, in joy we reap]

They joy before Thee according to the joy, &c. —ix. 3.

In tears who sow'd, in joy we reap,
And praise Thy goodness all day long,
Him in our eye of faith we keep,
Who gave us our triumphal song,
And doth His spoils to each divide,
A lot among the sanctified.

1078.

[Thou hast our bonds in sunder broke]

For Thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, &c. —ix. 4.

Thou hast our bonds in sunder broke,
Took all our load of guilt away,
From sin, the world, and Satan's yoke,
(Like Israel saved in Midian's day,)
Redeem'd us by our conquering Lord,
Our Gideon, and His Spirit's sword.

1079.

[Not like the warring sons of men]

Every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, &c. —ix. 5.

Not like the warring sons of men,
With shouts and garments roll'd in blood,
Our Captain doth the fight maintain;
But lo! the burning Spirit of God
Kindles within a secret fire,
And all our sins, as smoke, expire.

1080.

[Rejoice in Jesu's birth!]

Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, &c. —ix. 6.

Rejoice in Jesu's birth!
To us a Son is given,
To us a Child is born on earth,
Who made both earth and heaven!

382

His shoulder props the sky,
This universe sustains!
The God supreme, the Lord most high,
The King Messiah reigns!

His name, His nature, soars
Beyond the creatures' ken:
Yet whom the' angelic host adores,
He pleads the cause of men!
Our Counsellor we praise,
Our Advocate above,
Who daily in His church displays
His miracles of love.

1081.

[The' Almighty God is He]

The mighty God, the everlasting Father, &c. —ix. 6, 7.

The' Almighty God is He,
Author of heavenly bliss,
The Father of eternity,
The glorious Prince of Peace!
Wider and wider still
He doth His sway extend,
With peace Divine His people fill,
And joys that never end:

His government shall grow,
From strength to strength proceed,
His righteousness the church o'erflow,
And all the earth o'erspread;
His presence shall increase
The happiness above,
The full, progressive happiness
Of everlasting love.

1082.

[Great Heir of David's throne]

Upon the throne of David, &c. —ix. 7.

Great Heir of David's throne,
Thy royal power assume,

383

To reign in faithful hearts alone,
Thou with Thy Father come;
Set up Thy throne of grace
In all the heathen's sight,
Thy kingdom of true holiness,
And order it aright.

Now for Thy promise sake,
O'er earth exalted be,
The kingdom, power, and glory take,
Which all belong to Thee;
In zeal for God and man
Thy full salvation bring,
The universal Monarch reign,
The saints' eternal King.

1083.

[How shall we stand the hosts of Rome]

The staff in their hand is Mine indignation. —x. 5.

How shall we stand the hosts of Rome,
If marshall'd by our Judge they rise,
If arm'd with all our sins they come,
To deal the vengeance of the skies?

1084.

[Branch of Jesse's stem, arise]

There shall come forth a rod out of the stem, &c. —xi. 1.

Branch of Jesse's stem, arise,
And in our nature grow,
Turn our earth to paradise,
By flourishing below:
Bless us with the Spirit of grace
Immeasurably shed on Thee,
Pour on all the faithful race
The streaming Deity.

1085.

[Let the Spirit of our Head]

The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, &c. —xi. 2, 3.

Let the Spirit of our Head
On all the members rest,

384

From Thyself to us proceed,
And dwell in every breast,
Teach to judge and act aright,
Inspire with wisdom from above,
Holy faith, and heavenly might,
And reverential love.

1086.

[Lord, of Thee we fain would learn]

And shall make Him of quick understanding, &c. —xi. 3.

Lord, of Thee we fain would learn
Thy heavenly Father's will,
Give us quickness to discern,
And boldness to fulfil;
All His mind to us explain,
And all His name on us impress,
Then our souls in Thee attain
The perfect righteousness.

1087.

[Righteous Judge, who read'st the heart]

With righteousness shall He judge the poor, &c. —xi. 4.

Righteous Judge, who read'st the heart,
And know'st what is in man,
Rise, to take Thy people's part,
The helpless' cause maintain:
Patron of the poor appear,
Thy meek, afflicted subjects own,
Manifest Thy kingdom here,
And call us to Thy throne.

1088.

[Jesus, let the gospel-word]

He shall smite the earth with the rod, &c. —xi. 4.

Jesus, let the gospel-word
Out of Thy mouth proceed,
Smite us with Thy two-edged sword,
And strike the wicked dead,
Let Thy glorious breath consume
The man of sin, the carnal mind,
Slay the Antichrist of Rome
In me, and all mankind.

385

1089.

[True and faithful Witness, Thou]

Righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins, &c. —xi. 5.

True and faithful Witness, Thou
In righteousness hast sworn
Every knee to Thee shall bow,
And every heart shall turn:
Girt with equity and might,
Arise to' administer Thy grace,
Claim the kingdoms in Thy right,
And govern all our race.

1090.

[Prince of universal peace]

The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, &c. —xi. 6, 7.

Prince of universal peace,
Destroy the enmity,
Bid our jars and discords cease,
Unite us all in Thee:
Cruel as wild beasts we are,
Till vanquish'd by Thy mercy's power;
Men, like wolves, each other tear,
And their own flesh devour.

But if Thou pronounce the word
That forms our souls again,
Love and harmony restored
Throughout the earth shall reign;
When Thy wondrous love they feel,
The human savages are tame,
Ravenous wolves, and leopards dwell
And stable with the lamb.

Bears transform'd with oxen graze,
Their young together feed,
With the calf the lion plays,
Nor rends the dandled kid;

386

Harshest natures reconciled
With soft, and fierce with meek agree,
Gentle, tractable, and mild
As harmless infancy.

O that now with pardon bless'd
We each might each embrace,
Quietly together rest,
And feed upon Thy grace,
Like our sinless parents live!
Great Shepherd, make Thy goodness known,
All into Thy fold receive,
And keep for ever one.

1091.

[Have we not securely play'd]

The sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp. —xi. 8.

Have we not securely play'd
In the abodes of death,
By our innocence betray'd
Into the dragons' teeth?
Yet Thou didst from every snare
Preserve the children of Thy grace,
That Thy sucklings might declare
Our constant Saviour's praise.

1092.

[Lord of Hosts, Thy power assume]

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy, &c. —xi. 9.

Lord of Hosts, Thy power assume,
Thy sway through earth extend,
Then destructive war shall come
To a perpetual end;
Nothing noxious then remains
In all the mount of holiness,
Jesus fills the throne, and reigns
In everlasting peace.

387

1093.

[Earth shall then with love o'erflow]

For the earth shall be full of the knowledge, &c. —xi. 9.

Earth shall then with love o'erflow,
While perfectly restored
Every soul delights to know
That glory of the Lord:
Christ His glorious Image is;
As all mankind at once shall prove,
Swallow'd up in the abyss
Of His eternal love.

1094.

[Dawn'd that gospel-day Divine]

In that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, &c. —xi. 10.

Dawn'd that gospel-day Divine;
But suddenly o'ercast,
Surely it again shall shine
With brightest beams at last.
David's Son we soon shall see
Array'd with majesty and power,
Prostrate Jews confess 'tis He,
And all mankind adore.

See the standard lifted up,
Behold the Crucified!
Christ our peace, desire, and hope,
We would in Thee confide,
Would in Thee for ever live,
With pardon and salvation bless'd;
Us into Thine arms receive,
Into Thy glorious rest.

1095.

[Jesus, Thou hast spoke the word]

In that day, the Lord shall set His hand, &c. —xi. 11, 12.

Jesus, Thou hast spoke the word;
Thine hand again set to,
Gather in the remnant, Lord,
And save the chosen few;

388

O repair the general loss,
The many by Thy gospel call,
Show the world Thy bleeding cross,
Thy dying love for all.

By Thy passion on the tree
Constrain them to return,
Let the' apostates look on Thee,
Whom once they pierced, and mourn:
Gather the dispersed abroad,
Thy wandering flock, redeem'd of old,
Call the murderers of their God,
And take into Thy fold.

Surely now Thy pitying eye
The vagabonds pursues,
Turn their long captivity,
Again Thine Israel choose,
O bring home Thy purchased seed,
(Throughout the earth for ages driven,)
Ransom'd by the blood they shed,
With all mankind forgiven.

1096.

[Happy day of union sweet]

Ephraim shall not envy Judah, &c. —xi. 13.

Happy day of union sweet,
O when shall it appear,
When shall all Thy people meet
In amity sincere,
Tear each other's flesh no more,
But kindly think and speak the same,
All express the meekening power,
The spirit of the Lamb?

Visit us, bright Morning-Star,
And bring the perfect day,

389

Urged by faith's incessant prayer
No longer, Lord, delay;
Now destroy the envious root,
The ground of mutual feuds remove,
Fill the earth with golden fruit,
With ripe, millennial love.

1097.

[Lord in Thy light, I see]

I will kill thy root with famine, &c. —xiv. 30.

Lord in Thy light, I see
The Palestine within,
And Thou who show'st myself to me
Wilt finish all my sin,
The root with famine slay,
The last remains remove,
And bring me to the perfect day,
And fill my soul with love.

1098.

[Sure the word which God doth say]

They shall lift up their voice, &c. —xxiv. 14, 15.

Sure the word which God doth say,
Verified in us to-day;
Yes, we now lift up our voice,
Now the islanders rejoice.

Jesu's majesty we sing,
Jesus is our glorious King,
Jesu's love our song inspires;
Praise Him, praise Him in the fires!

Him we in the furnace see
Guardian of the faithful three,
Compass'd round with lambent flame,
Shout we our Deliverer's name.

Whom we here by faith behold,
Christ shall bring us forth as gold,

390

Vessels of His perfect grace,
Monuments of His endless praise.

1099.

[Come, eternal King, surrounded]

Then the moon shall be confounded, &c. —xxiv. 23.

Come, eternal King, surrounded
With the hosts Thy hands have made,
Let the sun and moon confounded
At Thy bright appearing fade,
Sink before Thee
Darken'd into midnight shade.

In His capital descending
Look we for the Son of Man,
Sure of raptures never ending,
When we meet our Lord again;
Come, Jehovah,
Present with Thine ancients reign.

Vessels of Thy free election
When Thine elders reign with Thee,
Children of the resurrection
When the saints Thy glory see,
Then remember,
Then appoint a throne for me.

1100.

[Jesus, my faith increase]

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, &c. —xxvi. 3.

Jesus, my faith increase,
And multiply my peace,
And when I always prove
The sweetness of Thy love,
And when I always trust Thy power,
My sin shall trouble me no more.

1101.

[Through many a night of distress]

With my soul have I desired Thee in the night. —xxvi. 9.

Through many a night of distress
My soul has its Saviour pursued,

391

And pined for a taste of His grace,
And long'd for a drop of His blood;
And still heavy-laden and faint
I look for my Lord from above,
To bring me the comfort I want,
The rest of assurance and love.

1102.

[Great Author of all my desires]

With my spirit within me will I seek Thee, &c. —xxvi. 9.

Great Author of all my desires,
Thy beauty I languish to see,
My vehement spirit aspires,
And gasps to be happy in Thee!
Thee early and late I pursue,
Till caught to the mansions of light
My Jesus unclouded I view,
And heaven enjoy in the sight.

1103.

[With Thy benefits surrounded]

Let favour be showed to the wicked, &c. —xxvi. 10.

With Thy benefits surrounded
I bewail my stubborn will;
Sin alas hath more abounded,
Keeps me all unrighteous still:
Lord, in vain Thou show'st me favour;
That I may obedient prove,
Show my heart a present Saviour;
All my heart shall then be love.

1104.

[Chastised by my God]

They poured out a prayer, &c. —xxvi. 16.

Chastised by my God,
I pour out a prayer,
Compell'd by the rod
My wants to declare:
To pray without ceasing
O could I attain,
I'd welcome the blessing
Of permanent pain.

392

1105.

[This moment I Thy truth confess]

I will water it every moment. —xxvii. 3.

This moment I Thy truth confess,
This moment I receive
The heavenly gift, the dew of grace,
And by Thy mercy live:
The next, and every moment, Lord,
On me Thy Spirit pour,
And bless me, who believe Thy word,
With that last glorious shower.

1106.

[Lord, that I may learn of Thee]

Whom shall He teach knowledge? &c. —xxviii. 9.

Lord, that I may learn of Thee,
Give me true simplicity;
Wean my soul, and keep it low,
Willing Thee alone to know.

Let me cast myself aside,
All that feeds my knowing pride;
Not to man, but God submit,
Lay my reasonings at Thy feet;

Of my boasted wisdom spoil'd,
Docile, helpless, as a child,
Only seeing in Thy light,
Only walking in Thy might.

Then infuse the teaching grace,
Spirit of truth and righteousness,
Knowledge, love Divine impart,
Life eternal to my heart.

1107.

[In weariness confirm'd repose]

This is the rest, and this is the refreshing. —xxviii. 12.

In weariness confirm'd repose,
Relief in life's severest woes,
Is freely offer'd to mankind,
And all who seek the comfort find:

393

Even I the sweet refreshment prove,
Assured of His forgiving love,
Rest to my soul, eternal rest
I find it now in Jesu's breast.

1108.

[Happy the men who Jesus know]

He that believeth shall not make haste. —xxviii. 16.

Happy the men who Jesus know,
Who humbly walk with God below,
His secret voice attend;
From all tumultuous passion free,
Their Guide invisible they see,
And commune with their Friend.

O that I thus on Christ reclined,
His quiet, meek, and even mind
Might with Himself possess:
I want the faith which works by hope,
Which calmly to its Lord looks up,
And waits for perfect peace.

Jesus, on me the power bestow
To work, or rest, stand still, or go,
As Thy design I see:
Redeem'd from nature's hurrying strife,
I would not take one step in life
Without a beck from Thee.

No longer rash to act, or speak,
To think or judge, I only seek
To know Thine utmost will;
I set my God a time no more,
The kingdom when Thou wilt restore,
And all Thy love reveal.

I do, if I put Him off. J.W.

394

1109.

[Who truly trust, O Lord, in Thee]

Who truly trust, O Lord, in Thee,
Our inbred evil to remove,
And bring us spotless purity,
And fill our sinless souls with love,
Hoping to see the perfect day,
We calmly for Thy coming stay.

The' expected good, the bliss unknown,
Composes all our nature's powers,
We wish in many a secret groan,
To find Thy gracious fulness ours;
We languish for our first estate,
Yet still we wish, and still we wait.

The violence of self-will is pass'd,
Our passions' wild fallacious fire,
No more with unbelieving haste,
Now, now the blessing we require,
The kingdom from our Lord demand,
Or snatch the crown out of Thy hand.

The stream of swelling words subsides,
The noisy strife of blindfold zeal,
While God our quiet spirit guides
Into His whole, His hallowing will,
Into the Saviour's mind unknown,
The love that perfects us in one.

1110.

[The faithful soul doth not make haste]

The faithful soul doth not make haste
To judge or think, to speak or do,
But present times compares with past,
The false to separate from the true,
Nature in all her turns to trace,
And vindicate the work of grace.

395

Tell him—you feel your pardon seal'd,
With strongest confidence assert
The secret of the Lord reveal'd,
The image stamp'd upon your heart;
He hears unmoved, and waits to see
The fruit, and then discern the tree.

Your tempers with judicious love,
He in the sacred balance weighs;
How to condemn you, or approve,
On every word, and action stays;
Observes your hope, dislike, desire,
And marks you passing through the fire.

His long-withheld assent to steal,
The sanguine novice hopes in vain;
Nor rapturous joy, nor flaming zeal
His lingering approbation gain;
Nor glittering gifts his judgment seize,
Nor fairest forms of godliness.

If nature mix'd with grace he find,
Careful the evil to remove,
The good entire he leaves behind,
Or, while he cannot both approve,
Error with truth combined he spares,
To save the wheat, permits the tares.

Cautious in all his works and deeds,
He dares on God alone rely,
With calm deliberate step proceeds
The spirits, and himself to try,
Patience the uncontested sign
Which slowly proves his faith Divine.

1111.

[Proud learning boasts its skill in vain]

Read this: I cannot, for it is sealed. —xxix. 11.

Proud learning boasts its skill in vain
The sacred oracles to' explain,

396

It may the literal surface show,
But not the precious mine below;
The saving sense remains conceal'd,
Till by the Spirit of faith reveal'd,
The book is still unread, unknown,
And open'd by the Lamb alone.

1112.

[He waits, that we from sin may turn]

Therefore will the Lord wait, &c. —xxx. 18.

He waits, that we from sin may turn,
May deeply for His comforts mourn;
Ready His grace to give,
Yet still in mercy He delays,
Till I am capable of grace,
And willing to receive.

For this Thou art gone up on high,
To show Thy power in earth and sky,
Mine Advocate above,
Thou dost a Prince and Saviour reign,
That I may with forgiveness gain
The witness of Thy love.

Thou waitest still, when Thee I know,
A larger blessing to bestow,
A second gift impart,
(The sinless mind, the farther rest,)
And stamp Thine image on my breast,
And fill my emptied heart.

Yet till Thy time is fully come,
I dare not hastily presume
To snatch the perfect grace,

397

But humbly patient to the end,
And praying at Thy feet attend,
Till Thou unveil Thy face.

I dare say “Now is the accepted time.” J.W.

1113.

[The time I to Thy wisdom leave]

The Lord is a God of judgment; &c. —xxx. 18.

The time I to Thy wisdom leave;
When, as, Thou wilt the blessing give,
The full felicity!
But give me now to seek aright,
And taste the blissful calm delight
Of waiting, Lord, for Thee.

Happy I am my wants to feel,
To mourn for joy unspeakable,
To thirst for God alone;
For O, the perfect love and peace,
The true eternal righteousness
With Thee is all my own.

1114.

[Thrice happy all who wait for Thee!]

The people shall dwell in Zion, &c. —xxx. 19–21.

Thrice happy all who wait for Thee!
Thee, Lord, we in Thy church shall see,
Thy spotless church below;
We at Jerusalem shall dwell,
Where Thou dost all Thy truths reveal,
And all Thy glories show.

Hasten, O God, the joyful day,
Appear to wipe our tears away,
The blessing we implore
The fulness of Thy graces give
In perfect love, and bid us grieve
And bid us sin no more.

If now Thou dost Thy people feed
With sad affliction's bitter bread,
Yet with Thy peace restored

398

Restore us teachers taught by Thee,
And suffer us no more to see
A famine of the word.

Confirm their word, and prove it Thine,
That hearing them, the voice Divine
We may in theirs obey,
Freed by the Truth, and free indeed,
By that unerring Unction led
Into the perfect way.

1115.

[O that we now could cast aside]

Thou shalt cast thine images away, &c. —xxx. 22.

O that we now could cast aside
Our images of wrath and pride,
Could in Thy Spirit's power
Bid sin and unbelief depart,
Away ye idols from my heart,
And never enter more!

1116.

[The solemn day draws nigh, when all]

There shall be upon every high mountain, &c. —xxx. 25.

The solemn day draws nigh, when all
The cities of the world shall fall,
The islands flee away,
The Lord, the dread avenging Lord
Shall plead His cause with fire and sword,
And sin for ever slay.

Then shall Thy church superior rise,
A mountain water'd by the skies,
With streams of grace o'erflow'd,
With rivers of pure heavenly peace,
And everlasting righteousness,
And all the life of God.

399

1117.

[Our Surety shall the breach repair]

Moreover the light of the moon, &c. —xxx. 26.

Our Surety shall the breach repair
'Twixt God and man; the cause of war,
The enmity remove,
The source of pain, the sinful ground,
And heal our deep original wound
With balm of perfect love.

Then shall the Lord our Righteousness
Shine forth in full meridian blaze,
With sevenfold lustre bright!
And I shall see that Sun arise,
Sun of the new-made earth and skies,
My soul's eternal light.

1118.

[As eagles fluttering o'er their nest]

As birds flying, so will the Lord defend, &c. —xxxi. 5.

As eagles fluttering o'er their nest
Protect their callow brood,
The Lord shall guard the souls that rest
In His atoning blood:
With tenderest care He passes o'er
His people to defend,
And saves from the destroyer's power,
And saves them to the end.

Even I, the meanest servant I,
Thy kind protection prove;
Jesus, Thou to my help dost fly
On wings of swiftest love:
And while Thy love is my defence,
Whoe'er would injure me
Must first o'erpower Omnipotence,
And force their way through Thee.

400

1119.

[With Jesus to reign Whoever aspire]

The Lord's fire is in Zion, &c. —xxxi. 9.

With Jesus to reign Whoever aspire,
Again and again He proves them by fire;
Cast into the furnace Their Saviour they praise;
The fire does but burnish And brighten their grace.

Then let us abide Through Jesus's name,
Till seven times tried, And purged by the flame,
Made like our Creator We gloriously shine,
And bear the new nature The image Divine.

1120.

[That Hiding-place I long to find]

A man shall be as an hiding-place, &c. —xxxii. 2.

That Hiding-place I long to find,
That sacred Covert from the wind:
Thou Man of grief, Thou God of love,
Receive, and keep my life above,
Conceal me from the furious blast,
Till all the storms of life are pass'd;
Or let the latest tempest come,
And drive me to my heavenly home.

1121.

[My soul, a dry and barren place]

As rivers of water in a dry place. —xxxii. 2.

My soul, a dry and barren place,
Gasps for the cooling streams of grace;
O might they through the desert roll
Refreshment to my gasping soul!
Jesus, I thirst for Thee, not Thine,
I want the well of life Divine,
The well of life Divine Thou art,
Spring up eternal in my heart.

1122.

[Eternal Rock, project Thy shade]

As the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. —xxxii. 2.

Eternal Rock, project Thy shade,
Extend to me Thy friendly aid,

401

While at Thy foot, a sinner I,
Weary, and spent, and dying lie:
Cover'd by Thee, my soul would rest
With pardon and salvation bless'd,
Till through Thy riven side I rise,
And see Thee fill both earth and skies.

1123.

[Lord, am not I at ease?]

Tremble, ye that are at ease; be troubled, &c. —xxxii. 11.

Lord, am not I at ease?
All-gracious as Thou art,
Put me in fear, and deep distress,
And break my careless heart:
I must the guilty pain
Here, or hereafter know,
A moment's grief on earth sustain,
Or endless grief below.

1124.

[The land where Jesus should be known]

Upon the land of My people shall come, &c. —xxxii. 13, 15.

The land where Jesus should be known,
Cultured by moral art in vain,
With thorns and brambles overgrown,
Defies the virtuous toil of man,
And who the Christian faith confess
Are all one ghastly wilderness.

Sin, only sin, can there appear,
Till our great Advocate above
Send down the purchased Comforter,
The promised Spirit of faith and love,
A gracious principle impart,
And change the unbelieving heart.

Then, then our barren souls shall bloom,
The ghastly uncouth wilderness
A flowery, fertile field become,
A field which God delights to bless,

402

And all His Spirit's fruits shall show
Our paradise regain'd below.

1125.

[Jesus, we on Thy word rely]

Then judgment shall dwell, &c. —xxxii. 16, 17.

Jesus, we on Thy word rely,
And wait the universal shower;
Pour out Thy Spirit from on high,
In all His gifts and graces pour,
And 'stablish every heart with grace,
With true indwelling righteousness.

Let judgment in the desert stay,
And goodness in the fruitful field,
Goodness which none can take away,
While conscious of our pardon seal'd,
We find the' unutterable rest,
And heaven is open'd in our breast.

Effect of righteousness Divine
Implanted in the soul renew'd,
The calm serenity be mine,
The humble confidence in God,
(Which neither life nor death can move,)
The fulness of eternal love.

1126.

[Jesus, we have long expected]

O Lord, be gracious unto us, &c. —xxxiii. 2.

Jesus, we have long expected
Thee our Saviour-God to see:
Can we be at last rejected,
Left to die for want of Thee?
Sinners at Thy footstool dying,
Us Thou surely wilt forgive,
Every soul on Thee relying
Must by Thee for ever live.

403

Through the dark distressing hour
Let us still perceive Thee near:
Then reveal Thy glorious power,
Faith's almighty Finisher,
Then in tenderest compassion
All our griefs and sins remove,
Be Thyself our full salvation,
Be Thyself our perfect love.

1127.

[Arm of the Lord, O Christ, Thou art]

Be Thou their arm every morning. —xxxiii. 2.

Arm of the Lord, O Christ, Thou art;
Mine arm this morning be,
Thy love omnipotent impart,
Reveal Thyself in me:
Till Thou my soul again create,
And all Thy power make known,
And raise me to my first estate;
I hang on Thee alone.

1128.

[Jesus, from Thy holy place]

The Lord dwelleth on high, &c. —xxxiii. 5, 6.

Jesus, from Thy holy place,
Thy dwelling in the sky,
Fill our church with righteousness,
Our want of faith supply;
Faith our strong salvation be,
And godliness with all its power
'Stablish our prosperity,
Till time shall be no more.

Let Thy Spirit of grace o'erflow
Our re-converted land,
Let the least and greatest know,
And bow to Thy command;

404

Wisdom pure, religious fear
Our king's peculiar treasure prove,
Bless'd with piety sincere,
Inspired with humble love.

1129.

[He that by faith in Jesus lives]

He that walketh righteously, &c. —xxxiii. 15–17.

He that by faith in Jesus lives,
Doth righteousness attain,
And walks unblamable, and gives
Their due to God and man;
His words as upright as his deeds,
His heart and conscience pure;
On all the joys of earth he treads,
And dwells with God secure.

Beyond the reach of sin and hell
He finds his place above,
Built on the Rock impregnable
Of everlasting love:
Immortal Bread he still receives,
The Spirit's fresh supplies,
And drinks the crystal stream, and lives
A life that never dies.

Go on, thrice happy soul, go on,
That heavenly land to see,
To see the King of saints come down
In glorious majesty,
Fairer than all the sons of men,
Than all the sons of light;
Look—and thy great reward obtain
In that most blissful sight!

1130.

[I long to behold Him array'd]

Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty, &c. —xxxiii. 17.

I long to behold Him array'd
With glory and light from above,

405

The King in His beauty display'd,
His beauty of holiest love:
I languish and die to be there
Where Jesus hath fix'd His abode:
O when shall we meet in the air,
And fly to the mountain of God!

With Him I on Sion shall stand,
(For Jesus hath spoken the word,)
The breadth of Immanuel's land
Survey by the light of my Lord:
But when on Thy bosom reclined
Thy face I am strengthen'd to see,
My fulness of rapture I find,
My heaven of heavens in Thee.

1131.

[Surely the promise is for me]

Surely the promise is for me,
Mine eyes shall in His beauty see
The King of saints above.
I shall on all His glories gaze,
And hymn in everlasting lays
The majesty of love.

Where angels in His presence stand,
I shall behold the heavenly land
Of full felicity;
Far from this vale of sin and woe,
My raptured soul the God shall know,
Who bought the land for me.

I only wait till Thou impart
Thyself, the earnest, to my heart,
The pure and perfect grace,
The meetness for that blissful sight,
And then surround me with the light
Of Thy unclouded face.

406

1132.

[How happy the people that dwell]

The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick. —xxxiii. 24.

How happy the people that dwell
Secure in the city above!
No pain the inhabitants feel,
No sickness or sorrow shall prove:
Physician of souls, unto me
Forgiveness and holiness give,
And then from the body set free,
And then to the city receive.

1133.

[I nothing else require]

Your God will come and save you. —xxxv. 4.

I nothing else require,
If Thou my Saviour be;
Salvation I desire,
Because it comes with Thee:
Thou, Lord, and Thou alone,
My whole salvation art,
Come, and erect Thy throne
Eternal in my heart.

1134.

[This Altar is the Lord]

Ye shall worship before this altar. —xxxvi. 7.

This Altar is the Lord,
Our Lord and God most high,
By all His saints beneath adored,
By all above the sky;
Raised by Almighty hands,
To Adam's offspring given,
'Twixt God and man this Altar stands,
And earth unites to heaven.

This Altar ever lives,
And did for man atone,
Hallows the offerings It receives,
And bears them to the throne.

407

Us to the throne It bears,
Mix'd with the sacred flame,
And God accepts His worshippers
Who bow to Jesus' name.

1135.

[Bound in sin and misery]

I am oppressed; undertake for me. —xxxviii. 14.

Bound in sin and misery
Jesus undertake for me,
Come to rescue the oppress'd,
Come to bring the weary rest:
Lord, if longer Thou delay,
Finally I fall away:
Wilt Thou suffer it to be,
Lose a soul redeem'd by Thee?

Thou hast undertook my cause,
Paid my ransom on the cross,
Yet unless Thy blood I feel,
Sinks my ransom'd soul to hell:
Purchased by Thy blood in vain,
Still I must in sin remain,
Must, without Thy blood applied,
Die, for whom Thyself hast died.

Purge me then from every sin,
Make my life and conscience clean,
Force my evil heart to' obey,
Take my evil heart away;
By Thy sanctifying blood
Fit me for the sight of God,
Then my sole disposer be,
Do whate'er Thou wilt with me.

1136.

[A Saviour I have]

The Lord was ready to save me. —xxxviii. 20.

A Saviour I have
Ever ready to save;

408

And to me He shall show
His uttermost power of salvation below:
Whom He now doth embrace
In the arms of His grace,
He ere long will admit
To a sight of His face, and a share of His seat.

1137.

[With faith's most fix'd attention]

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew, &c. —xl. 31.

With faith's most fix'd attention,
Jesus, on Thee I wait,
To gain in life's declension,
My primitive estate.
That vigour to recover,
Original, Divine;
And love my heavenly Lover,
And live entirely Thine.

With restless expectation
I for Thine image groan,
The strength of full salvation
Impatient to put on;
I long at that glad hour
To find, dear Lord, in Thee,
The spirit of health and power,
And spotless purity.

A prostrate soul desiring
To walk in all Thy ways,
With Thy own Spirit inspiring,
Among the children place.
Then, then a babe forgiven,
I without fainting go,
After my Guide to heaven,
And walk like Thee below.

409

In grace and faith increasing,
A man of God, I rise,
Wrestle for Jacob's blessing,
And win the long-sought prize;
With fervent zeal aspire,
To prove Thy perfect will,
And run, (but never tire,)
And scale the holy hill.

Eager my utmost Saviour,
As I am known, to know;
Establish'd in Thy favour,
I to a father grow.
From glory unto glory,
Changed by Thy Spirit, I
Shall walk unblamed before Thee,
Shall to Thy bosom fly.

Swift as an eagle soaring,
To view that heavenly Sun,
I mount,—I fall adoring,
Before the azure throne.
In songs, or silence praising
The God who died for me,
In triumphing, or gazing
Through all eternity.

1138.

[Must we not walk before we run]

They shall mount up with wings as eagles, &c. —xl. 31.

Must we not walk before we run,
And run before we fly,
From strength to strength go humbly on,
And labour up the sky?
The children walk in Christ, improve
To youths, and run their race,
The fathers soar with perfect love,
And see Him face to face.

410

1139.

[Fear not, for I thy God am here]

Fear thou not; for I am with thee, &c. —xli. 10.

Fear not, for I thy God am here,
(Jehovah to His servant saith,)
My presence shall dispel thy fear,
And fill thy heart with strength of faith:
No longer troubled or dismay'd,
Perceive thy gracious Saviour nigh,
And every moment feel My aid,
And on Mine outstretch'd arm rely.

Why shouldst thou fear, when I am thine,
When all I am, I am for thee?
If thou art weak, My strength Divine
Is perfect in infirmity:
Without My help who canst not stand
Thee I will never leave alone,
But hold thee up by My right hand,
But lift thee to My heavenly throne.

1140.

[Thy furious foes implacable]

Behold, all they that were incensed, &c. —xli. 11.

Thy furious foes implacable,
The banded potentates of night,
No more shall dare thy soul assail,
Confounded by My Spirit's might;
The worldly, persecuting throng,
Hell's synagogue, shall all submit,
And sin, which strove with thee so long,
Lie quite extinguish'd at thy feet.

Where are thine old intestine foes?
All come to a perpetual end:
No longer can the flesh oppose,
Or nature frail with grace contend:

411

The hatred of thy carnal mind,
Thy passions, lusts, as nothing be,
The life of sin thou canst not find,
Or know that pride remains in thee.

1141.

[For I, the Lord, thy God abide]

For I the Lord thy God will hold, &c. —xli. 13, 14.

For I, the Lord, thy God abide,
Till to the utmost saved thou art:
Be not afraid, 'tis I, thy Guide,
Who hold thy hand, and keep thy heart;
'Tis I, thy trembling heart assure,
With peace which none can take away,
And arm with patience to endure,
And save thee to the perfect day.

On Me thy constant Helper trust,
Thou abject worm despised by all;
They shall not crush thee in the dust
When I have raised thee from thy fall:
Thee from thy fall I soon will raise,
The purchase dear of blood Divine,
'Stablish thy feeble heart with grace,
And make My glorious fulness thine.

1142.

[Thee will I wield by grace renew'd]

Behold, I will make thee a new sharp, &c. —xli. 15, 16.

Thee will I wield by grace renew'd,
A weapon for My use design'd:
Go, thou sharp, iron-flail of God,
And thresh the loftiest of mankind,
The stubbornest and strongest beat
With violence of resistless zeal,
And separate from the sacred wheat,
And chase the cursed chaff to hell:

412

Dispersed the powers of darkness see:
Thy mountain-sins which reach'd the skies
Wide scatter'd by My breath shall be,
As chaff before the whirlwind flies:
Then shalt thou joyfully confess
My utmost truth, My hallowing word,
The Holy One of Israel praise,
Lost in the glories of thy Lord.

1143.

[Poor needy souls athirst and faint]

When the poor and needy seek water, &c. —xli. 17.

Poor needy souls athirst and faint
Who gasp for My redeeming love,
I will supply their spirit's want,
When blindly after Me they rove,
When in the barren wilderness
Water they seek with fruitless care,
Seek in the channels of My grace,
Yet not one cooling drop is there.

Attentive to their feeblest cry,
When fails for thirst their cleaving tongue,
I mark them with a pitying eye,
I hear their silence ask, “How long!”
The Lord of Hosts, the God of grace,
I never will My people leave,
But present in their last distress
The long-expected blessing give.

1144.

[Rivers of pure delight shall rise]

I will open rivers in high places, &c. —xli. 18, 19.

Rivers of pure delight shall rise,
And o'er the barren mountains flow,
Fountains and streams of paradise
Refresh the weary vale below:

413

Water'd by Me the desert-soul
The garden of the Lord shall prove,
Replenish'd as a wide-spread pool,
Or spring of everlasting love.

There in the smiling wilderness
My fertilizing Spirit shall dwell,
And plant the fair Elysian trees
Whose leaves the sickly nations heal:
The trees of righteousness shall grow,
And flourish to their Planter's praise,
And all the heavenly virtues show,
And all the fruits of ripest grace.

1145.

[Dead souls I will anew create]

That they may see, and know, and consider, &c. —xli. 20.

Dead souls I will anew create,
To make My truth and mercy known,
Restore them to their first estate,
And perfect all My saints in one;
That sinners may My love confess,
My favour and lost image find,
Convinced, I sent My Son to bless,
And save the whole apostate kind.

Sinners My witnesses shall see
Produced by a celestial birth,
And own, the ancient piety
The gracious work revived on earth;
And while their willing hearts receive
The proofs of My transforming power,
The world shall all at once believe,
And every soul My Son adore.

1146.

[Servant of God, and Son of Man]

Behold My Servant, whom I uphold, &c. —xlii. 1.

Servant of God, and Son of Man,
Eternal Son of God most high,

414

Fulfil the great redeeming plan
Which brought Thee, Saviour, from the sky,
Anointed by His Spirit, and seal'd,
With all His glorious fulness fill'd.

His soul's Delight, His Best-Beloved,
Give us Thyself and Him to know,
The righteousness by God approved
To us poor sinful Gentiles show:
The righteousness which faith imparts,
Impute, implant it in our hearts.

1147.

[Not with a loud uplifted voice]

He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause, &c. —xlii. 2.

Not with a loud uplifted voice
Dost Thou compel mankind to hear,
With strife, and violence, and noise!
But when a soul inclines its ear,
Thou dost the prostrate sinner raise
By the soft whisper of Thy grace.

1148.

[Thou wilt not crush the poor and weak]

A bruised reed shall He not break, &c. —xlii. 3.

Thou wilt not crush the poor and weak,
Thy tender heart can never bear
A reed already bruised to break,
To plunge the fearful in despair,
Or aggravate a sinner's load,
Or quench his faintest spark of good.

Rather Thy loving Spirit Divine
Shall raise the smoke into a flame,
Support this trembling soul of mine,
Till strong I out of weakness am,
And as a spreading cedar rise,
Meet for the garden of the skies.

415

Bear with me then, most patient Lord,
(This smoking flax, this bruised reed,)
Accomplishing Thy faithful word,
The heavenly light, the hidden seed
Bring forth, throughout my life to shine,
And prove Thy righteousness Divine.

1149.

[Discouraged at our wayward ways]

He shall not fail, nor be discouraged, &c. —xlii. 4.

Discouraged at our wayward ways,
We trust Thee, that Thou wilt not fail,
But carry on Thy work of grace,
Till mercy over sin prevail,
And fix on earth Thy righteous throne,
And reign in all our hearts alone.

Jesus, for this we still attend,
Thy kingdom in the isles to prove,
The law of sin and death to end,
We wait for all the power of love,
The law of perfect liberty,
The law of life which is in Thee.

O might it now from Thee proceed,
With Thee, into the souls of men,
Throughout the world Thy gospel spread,
And let Thy glorious Spirit reign,
On all the ransom'd race bestow'd,
And fill the universe with God.

1150.

[Adam descended from above]

I will give Thee for a covenant of the people, &c. —xlii. 6, 7.

Adam descended from above,
Federal Head of all mankind,
The covenant of redeeming love
In Thee let every sinner find:

416

Its Surety Thou alone hast paid
The debt we to Thy Father owed,
For the whole world atonement made,
And seal'd our pardon with Thy blood.

Thee the paternal Grace Divine
An universal Blessing gave,
A Light, in every heart to shine,
A Saviour, every soul to save:
Light of the Gentile world, appear,
Command the blind Thy rays to see,
Our darkness chase, our sorrows cheer,
And set Thy plaintive prisoners free.

Me, me who still in darkness sit,
Shut up in sin and unbelief,
Bring forth out of this hellish pit,
This dungeon of despairing grief;
Open mine eyes the Lamb to know
Who bears the general sin away,
And to my ransom'd spirit show
The glories of eternal day.

1151.

[Thanksgiving and praise To Jesus belongs]

Sing unto the Lord a new song, &c. —xlii. 10.

Thanksgiving and praise To Jesus belongs;
He claims for His grace New-testament songs;
Our Saviour and Lover In hymns we proclaim,
And all the world over Rejoice in His name.

Ye seafaring men His footsteps adore;
His miracles seen Of goodness and power,
Who plough the rough ocean, Your voices employ
With hearty devotion, And fulness of joy.

1152.

[Ye deserts so wild, Your offerings bring]

Let the wilderness and the cities lift up, &c. —xlii. 11, 12.

Ye deserts so wild, Your offerings bring,
Your God reconciled Ye villagers sing;
Exult in His passion Ye rude mountaineers,
For lo, your salvation With Jesus appears!

417

Him strong to redeem Ye islanders praise,
Created by Him Who saves the lost race,
With shouts never ceasing Extol the Most High,
And welcome the blessing He brings from the sky.

1153.

[Father, Thou dost conduct the blind]

I will bring the blind by a way, &c. —xlii. 16.

Father, Thou dost conduct the blind
A way we had not known,
Through Thee the way to heaven we find
In Thy beloved Son;
Thou show'st us what we all must do,
Salvation to obtain;
And who their shining path pursue
Shall life eternal gain.

In Christ to our celestial home
Thou leadest us aright;
The crooked things are straight become,
The darkness turn'd to light;
Where'er Thou dost Thy Son reveal,
Thou dost Thy Spirit give,
And nothing is impossible
To us who can believe.

Kept in the way by power Divine,
Through faith we still go on,
And hang on that dear word of Thine,
“I will not leave My own!”
Our souls which trust Thy constant love
Thy constant love defends,
And brings us to Thy house above
Where faith in vision ends.

1154.

[Father, the thing impossible]

I will work, and who shall let it? —xliii. 13.

Father, the thing impossible
At Thy command shall be,

418

Not all the powers of earth and hell
Can frustrate Thy decree:
The kingdoms of the earth shall all
Be swallow'd up in one,
And universal nature fall
Before Thy glorious Son.

1155.

[Surprising turn of heavenly grace!]

Thou hast wearied Me with thine iniquities, &c. —xliii. 24, 25.

Surprising turn of heavenly grace!
“I, even I, am He,”
That drives the sinner from My face?
“No; but who pardon thee!”
Thy bowels of compassion sound,
Thy heart with love runs o'er,
And where my sin doth most abound,
Thy grace aboundeth more.

1156.

[Thou must for Thy own sake forgive]

I, even I am He that blotteth out, &c. —xliii. 25.

Thou must for Thy own sake forgive,
It cannot be for mine;
My power the pardon to receive,
My faith is all Divine:
A sinner on mere mercy cast,
Thy mercy I embrace,
And gladly own, from first to last
That I am saved by grace.

1157.

[Balm of my wounded spirit, Lord]

Balm of my wounded spirit, Lord,
Thy promise I receive;
Forgive, according to Thy word,
For Thy own sake forgive:
Blot out, Thou Sun of Righteousness,
The' impenetrable cloud,
Jesus, my countless sins efface
With Thy atoning blood.

419

1158.

[Thou wilt be merciful, Thou wilt]

And will not remember thy sins. —xliii. 25.

Thou wilt be merciful, Thou wilt
No longer bear in mind
My old, or new-contracted guilt,
But cast it all behind:
My sins if I no more repeat,
When Thou hast cross'd the score,
Forgiving them, Thou wilt forget
And never mention more.

1159.

[Father of all, the Just, the True]

Put Me in remembrance: let Us plead, &c. —xliii. 26.

Father of all, the Just, the True,
I put Thee now in mind,
The pardon is by promise due
To me and all mankind:
The promise to myself I take,
I bring the sinner's plea;
Forgive me for Thy mercy's sake,
Which Jesus bought for me.

I trust in Jesu's death alone,
My steadfast faith declare;
He did for all my sins atone,
He did Thine anger bear:
The blood which hath procured my peace
Now let me feel applied,
And glorying in His righteousness,
I now am justified.

1160.

[The true Cyrus I see!]

He shall let go My captives, not for price, &c. —xlv. 13.

The true Cyrus I see!
My Jesus is He,
At whose gracious command the whole world may go free:

420

Who on Jesus relies
Without ransom or price
A pardon obtains, and a place in the skies.

We have nothing to pay,
For the Father did lay
Our sins on His Son, and He bore them away.
His passion alone
For all did atone,
And redeem'd by His death, I inherit His throne.

1161.

[Thou God unsearchable, unknown]

Verily Thou art a God that hidest Thyself, &c.— xlv. 15.

Thou God unsearchable, unknown,
Who still conceal'st Thyself from me,
Hear an apostate spirit groan,
Broke off, and far exiled from Thee,
But conscious of my fall I mourn,
And fain I would to Thee return.

Send forth one ray of heavenly light,
Of gospel-hope, or humble fear,
To guide me through this gulf of night,
My poor, desponding soul to cheer,
Till Thou mine unbelief remove,
And show me all Thy glorious love.

1162.

[An hidden God indeed Thou art!]

An hidden God indeed Thou art!
Thine absence I this moment feel:
Yet must I own it from my heart,
Conceal'd, Thou art a Saviour still,
And though Thy face I cannot see,
I know Thine eye is fix'd on me.

My Saviour Thee, not yet reveal'd,
Yet will I Thee my Saviour call,
Adore Thy hand, from sin withheld;
Thy hand shall raise me from my fall,

421

Thou wilt throughout my darkness shine,
And show Thyself for ever mine.

1163.

[How should I know unless from Thee]

How should I know unless from Thee,
That Thou art still a God unknown?
Made conscious of my misery,
Thy Spirit's absence I bemoan:
For O! in tenderness of love,
Thou dost my unbelief reveal;
The thick religious veil remove,
And show me all my nature's hell.

Dark as the shades of endless night,
Wrapp'd in impenetrable gloom,
After the true, eternal Light
I feel, oppress'd till Jesus come;
Till Christ, the glory of the Lord,
His beatific Self impart,
And speak the faith-creating word,
And rise illustrious in my heart.

1164.

[Thou, Jesus, of the chosen seed]

Israel shall be saved in the Lord, &c. —xlv. 17.

Thou, Jesus, of the chosen seed
The utmost Saviour art,
Of every Israelite indeed,
Of all the pure in heart:
Thy saints who every moment feel
The confidence of love,
While yet on earth, secure they dwell
Within Thine arms above.

Perfect in love which casts out fear
They for Thy coming stay,
And bold before Thy throne appear
In that tremendous day:

422

Confounded, Lord, and put to shame
Thy church shall never be,
Saved by the virtue of Thy name,
For ever saved in Thee.

1165.

[Commanded, Lord, and drawn by Thee]

I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye Me in vain —xlv. 19.

Commanded, Lord, and drawn by Thee
Have I not sought Thy face,
And ask'd for half a century
Thy heart-renewing grace?
Yet is my prayer unanswer'd still,
My heart is unrenew'd,
Throughout my fallen soul I feel
That I am void of God.

But wilt Thou suffer me to die
Such as I now remain?
It cannot, cannot be, that I
Should seek my God in vain:
My soul into Thy hands I give,
And hold the promise fast,
And seeking on, I must believe,
I must be saved at last.

1166.

[Eternal Lord of earth and skies]

There is no Saviour beside Me, &c. —xlv. 21, 22.

Eternal Lord of earth and skies,
We wait Thy Spirit's latest call:
Bid all our fallen race arise,
(Thou who hast purchased life for all,)
Saved by that wondrous look Divine
Which makes Thy full salvation mine.

Sole self-existent God supreme,
Thee, Jesus, let the world confess,
Whose blood did the whole world redeem,
And seals the universal peace,

423

Whose only name, to sinners given,
Snatches from hell, and lifts to heaven.

1167.

[The word Thy sacred lips has pass'd]

I have sworn by Myself, That unto Me, &c. —xlv. 23–25.

The word Thy sacred lips has pass'd,
The sure irrevocable word,
That every soul shall bow at last,
And swear allegiance to its Lord,
The kingdoms of the earth shall be
For ever subjected to Thee.

Even now whoe'er in Thee believes
Thy righteousness and strength obtains,
Thy kingdom in his heart receives,
And conqueror of the world he reigns,
Sees all Thy foes with shame submit,
And Satan bruised beneath his feet.

Surely in Christ by faith reveal'd
Forgiveness and full power have I,
Thy people know their pardon seal'd,
Even all who on Thy death rely;
We glory in the Prince of Peace,
We praise the Lord our righteousness.

1168.

[Thou hast my kind Preserver been]

Even to hoar hairs will I carry you, &c. —xlvi. 4.

Thou hast my kind Preserver been
Even from my mother's womb;
Thou wilt deliver me from sin,
While hastening to the tomb:
To hoary hairs Thou bear'st my load;
Made, and redeem'd by Thee,
Father, Thou art in Christ my God,
And shalt for ever be.

424

1169.

[Believing I my seal set to]

Believing I my seal set to
That God is merciful, and true,
Who took out of my mother's womb,
He leads me softly to the tomb.

From infancy to hoary hairs
He all my griefs and burdens bears,
Supports me in His arms of love
And hides my ransom'd life above.

Still, O my gracious God, and just,
I in Thy faithful mercies trust;
And those that on Thy word depend
Thou wilt deliver to the end;

Thou wilt in death my weakness bear,
And raised out of the sepulchre,
Carry me up Thy face to see,
And save through all eternity.

1170.

[Evil I from the womb have been]

Thou wast called a transgressor from the womb. —xlviii. 8.

Evil I from the womb have been,
Born, altogether born in sin,
In sin conceived and bred,
My actual guilt's enormous load
Calls down the fiercest wrath of God
On my devoted head.

1171.

[Yet dost Thou, Lord, Thy wrath forbear]

For My name's sake will I defer Mine anger, &c. —xlviii. 9.

Yet dost Thou, Lord, Thy wrath forbear,
My righteous punishment defer,
Time after time reprieve;
Thou dost not speedy vengeance take,
But still for Thy own mercy's sake
Permittest me to live.

425

I live to render Thee the praise,
A monument of Thy patient grace
Thy patient grace I own,
Pluck'd as a brand out of the flame,
Spared for the glory of Thy name,
The glory of Thy Son.

1172.

[Thou hast into the furnace cast]

Behold, I have refined thee, &c. —xlviii. 10.

Thou hast into the furnace cast,
Yet by my griefs and sufferings pass'd
I am not, Lord, refined:
I am not, but I shall be pure,
Shall make my own election sure,
And leave my dross behind.

1173.

[To make Thy truth and goodness known]

For Mine own sake, even for Mine own sake, &c. —xlviii. 11.

To make Thy truth and goodness known,
Thou wilt, for Thine own sake alone,
Forgive, and seal my peace;
Thou wilt for Thine own sake restore
The first domain, the' unsinning power,
The finish'd holiness.

Come then, that Thy great name may be
No longer vilified for me,
Mine evil heart remove:
The honour of Thy name retrieve,
And show the world how Christians live,
When perfected in love.

1174.

[Go forth, ye ransom'd people, flee]

Go ye forth of Babylon, &c. —xlviii. 20.

Go forth, ye ransom'd people, flee
Out of your dire captivity,
Who slaves in Babylon remain:

426

(That Babel of the carnal will,
Confusion worse confounded still
By jarring tongues, and janglings vain!)

With gospel-songs triumphant tell
The glorious liberty ye feel,
Your joys throughout the earth proclaim,
The Cause of all your joys repeat,
The' exploits of Love divinely great,
The wonders wrought by Jesu's name.

1175.

[Jesus the Lord hath set us free]

The Lord hath redeemed His servant Jacob. —xlviii. 20.

Jesus the Lord hath set us free,
Redeem'd from all iniquity,
And raised His servants into sons,
We have redemption through His blood,
His holy church, His Spirit's abode,
His temple built with living stones!

He hath in us His name reveal'd,
His precious promises fulfill'd;
And lo, we into nothing fall,
Poor with eternal poverty
Goodness entire in Christ we see,
We feel that Christ is all in all!

1176.

[Expecting now to be restored]

They thirsted not when He led them, &c. —xlviii. 21.

Expecting now to be restored,
And led by our redeeming Lord,
We through the pathless desert go,
Refresh'd, as in the ancient days,
With living streams of gospel-grace
Which from the Rock of Ages flow.

427

We seek the New Jerusalem,
Till marching on in Jesu's name
The New Jerusalem we meet;
That mother of us all descends,
And shouting with our heavenly friends
We find in Christ our joy complete.

1177.

[Father, Thou hast bestow'd]

I will give Thee for a light to the Gentiles, &c. —xlix. 6.

Father, Thou hast bestow'd
On man the' incarnate God:
Shining in our nature's night,
In our mortal flesh reveal'd,
Him, the true eternal Light
Earth's remotest ends beheld.

But will He not again
Appear on earth to reign?
Yes, the Light of Life Divine
All mankind shall soon receive,
Christ in every soul shall shine,
Christ in every heart shall live.

His name from east to west
Shall be by all confess'd;
Him America shall praise,
Asia recognise His power,
Reconverted Europe bless,
Afric's savages adore.

O that we now might feel
Thy Gift unspeakable!
Father, for Thy Son we wait:
Now Thy great salvation send,
Sole, immortal Potentate,
King of saints, till time shall end.

428

1178.

[Treaty of peace 'twixt God and man]

I will give Thee for a covenant of the people, &c. —xlix. 8.

Treaty of peace 'twixt God and man,
Thee, Jesus, Thee we gladly own,
Whate'er the covenant doth contain
Is all comprised in Thee alone;
Its Surety Thou, its blessings art,
Its substance in Thy people's heart.

Come then, Thy Father's will to do,
His wisdom, and effectual power:
Thou only canst our earth renew,
Our desolated souls restore;
And fill the drooping heart with peace,
And stablish us in righteousness.

The ghastly wastes which sin hath made,
God of almighty love, repair,
Revive our piety decay'd,
Rising out of her ruins fair
Thy church, Thy blameless body, show
The plenitude of God below.

1179.

[Jesus, dear almighty Lord]

That Thou mayest say to the prisoners, &c. —xlix. 9, 10.

Jesus, dear almighty Lord,
Speak the soul-redeeming word,
Breathe the Spirit of liberty,
Bid us now believe on Thee:
When Thou dost Thy Spirit give,
We our gloomy dungeons leave,
Cast the chains of sin away,
Walk at large in open day.

Now out of our sins we go,
Now redeem'd, ourselves we show,
Walk in ways of pleasantness,
Feed on Thy forgiving grace,

429

Pasture in the mountains find,
To the flock of Israel join'd,
Range o'er all the fields above,
Happy in our Shepherd's love.

Nothing more can we require,
Love fills up our whole desire,
Kept by love's protecting power,
Nothing can we suffer more;
Who to us hast mercy shown,
Still Thou dost conduct Thine own,
By the streams of purest grace
To our everlasting place.

1180.

[Thither with our heavenly Guide]

And I will make all My mountains a way, &c. —xlix. 11.

Thither with our heavenly Guide,
We o'er earth's high-places ride;
Mountains at Thy presence flow,
Rise the humble vales below:
Find we here a ready road,
Never by the guilty trod,
An high-way of holiness
Leading to eternal peace.

1181.

[Sinners our immortal King]

Behold, these shall come from far: &c. —xlix. 12.

Sinners our immortal King
Shall from every quarter bring,
North, and south, and west, and east,
Gather'd to the gospel-feast,
Flocking in from lands unknown
They with Abraham shall sit down,
Room enough for sinners find,
For them, for us, and all mankind.

430

1182.

[Jesus shall still His people save]

The Lord will have mercy upon His afflicted. —xlix. 13.

Jesus shall still His people save,
Mercy on His afflicted have,
And fill their hearts with peace:
Speak to this troubled heart of mine,
Cheer me, dear Lord, with love Divine,
And perfect righteousness.

1183.

[Sing ye heavens, and earth rejoice]

Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth, &c. —xlix. 13.

Sing ye heavens, and earth rejoice,
Sons of men, lift up your voice,
Great ones, who o'erlook the throng,
Shout at learning the new song,
Vie with that acclaiming host,
Ye have cause to triumph most,
Dearer to their King above,
Ransom'd by His dying love.

Jesus hath fulfill'd His word,
He, our dear redeeming Lord
Hath in mortal flesh appear'd,
All His mournful people cheer'd:
Millions of the fallen race
Through His comfortable grace
Here have known their sins forgiven,
Gone in perfect peace to heaven.

Millions more their Lord shall know,
When He doth His mercy show,
Mercy's utmost power display
In the long-expected day:
Come, Thou universal Friend,
Human miseries to end,
Jews, and Turks, and heathens call,
All receive, who diedst for all.

431

1184.

[I know it: by Thy hands and feet]

Yet will I not forget thee. —xlix. 15.

I know it: by Thy hands and feet
Thou must remember me:
Thou couldst as easily forget
What pass'd on Calvary!

1185.

[Engraven with an iron pen]

I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands. —xlix. 16.

Engraven with an iron pen
My name upon Thy hands is seen:
Lord, with Thy love's acutest dart
Engrave Thy name upon my heart.

1186.

[Sion, look round with strange delight]

Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: &c. —xlix. 18.

Sion, look round with strange delight,
The world's wide fields to harvest white,
The gathering multitudes behold,
The forces of both earth and sea;
My gospel-church, they come to thee,
They press into My sacred fold!

The Gentiles shall My church adorn,
(Jehovah by His life hath sworn,)
To thee brought in from every side:
And when thou art completely dress'd,
And ready for the marriage-feast,
I come Myself to fetch My bride.

1187.

[Thy land, which long lay waste and void]

For thy waste and thy desolate places, &c. —xlix. 19.

Thy land, which long lay waste and void,
Depopulated and destroy'd,
An unfrequented wilderness,
Shall smile, again manured and till'd,
Again inhabited, and fill'd,
And crowded with the sons of grace.

432

My people saved, My chosen seed,
Throughout the land of promise spread,
The world no longer shall devour;
Satan, who made your souls a prey,
Shall flee, for ever chased away,
And sin lay waste My church no more.

1188.

[I will with other children bless]

The children which thou shalt have, &c. —xlix. 20.

I will with other children bless,
With sudden infinite increase
Thy long-lamented loss repair;
Straiten'd for more and larger room
Thy children unto thee shall come,
And ask thy kind maternal care.

Then shalt thou say with glad surprise,
Who gave me these to bless mine eyes,
The widow's mournful heart to cheer?
They come, begotten from above,
Dear pledges of my Jesu's love,
They all the sons of God appear!

I had my former children lost,
A captive sad, by tempests toss'd,
I wander'd to and fro distress'd;
But in my desolate state I see
A new succeeding progeny
Who rise and call their Father bless'd:

Where have they been in secret bred?
The Lord preserved a faithful seed
Their great Preserver to proclaim,
His truth and love to glorify,
Apostate Israel's place supply,
And spread through earth the Christian name.

433

1189.

[Beckoning with Mine uplifted hand]

Behold, I will lift up Mine hand, &c. —xlix. 22.

Beckoning with Mine uplifted hand,
I will the heathen world command
To bring thy wandering children home;
The heathen world shall own My sign,
And willing made by power Divine
To My erected standard come:

Thy sons they in their arms shall bear,
Thy daughters guard with tenderest care,
And mounted on their shoulders show,
Till lodged within thy kind embrace
Gentiles and Jews are join'd by grace,
And all the God of Israel know.

1190.

[Such may our young Josiah prove]

Kings shall be thy nursing fathers. —xlix. 23.

Such may our young Josiah prove,
And make Thy church his pious care,
Cherish with wise, paternal love,
And in his royal bosom bear!
Thyself, O Christ, his Keeper be,
The guardian of Thy flock defend,
And let the king rejoice in Thee
His heavenly everlasting Friend.

1191.

[Earth's greatest kings and queens shall be]

Earth's greatest kings and queens shall be
Divinely great, by serving Thee,
By favouring whom their God approves,
Defenders of the faithful seed,
Their glory and delight to feed
The meanest saint that Jesus loves:

434

While those who persecute and hate
My church in her forlorn estate,
Shall soon indignantly submit;
The worms that swell to wear a crown,
The haughty worms shall all bow down,
And lick the dust beneath thy feet.

1192.

[Then, Sion, thou shalt fully know]

And thou shalt know that I am the Lord, &c. —xlix. 23.

Then, Sion, thou shalt fully know
The King of kings reveal'd below
In glorious majesty Divine:
Righteous, and true, and good I am,
Jehovah, Jesus is My name,
Thy God in Christ for ever thine.

Expecting Me on earth to reign,
My people shall not wait in vain,
But saved and perfected in one
Shall see Me come triumphant back,
My train increase, My joy partake,
And share Mine everlasting throne.

1193.

[Shall the mighty lose his prey]

Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, &c. —xlix. 24–26.

Shall the mighty lose his prey
By a Mightier borne away?
Shall the strong-man-arm'd be foil'd,
Of his lawful captive spoil'd?
Who from Satan's tyranny,
Who from sin can rescue me?

Answers my almighty Lord,
Truth Himself hath spoke the word,
He shall bear the prize away,
Spoil the spoiler of his prey,

435

Every lawful captive seize,
Claim a ransom'd world for His.

Thou, on whom Thy church depend,
Wilt with all our foes contend,
Make the world and sin submit,
Bruise the fiend beneath our feet,
Sharers of Thy victory
Save the souls that trust in Thee.

Jesus, now Thine arm display,
All our fierce oppressors slay,
Sin, and the terrific king,
Crush the monster with his sting,
Now the wicked one consume,
Saviour to the utmost come.

Then the world shall surely know
Our Redeemer's power below,
All mankind shall then confess
Jesus, and His witnesses,
Praise the Lord, when us they see
Saints from sin for ever free.

1194.

[How justly, Lord, dost Thou complain]

Wherefore, when I came, was there no man, &c. —l. 2.

How justly, Lord, dost Thou complain
Of heedless unregarding man,
Who still invitest all
With offers of Thy richest grace;
Yet none the benefit embrace,
Or answer to Thy call.

Thou seek'st Thine own, who Thee reject,
Or deaf to mercy's voice neglect
Their Saviour to receive,

436

From Thy pursuing love they fly,
And harden'd unbelievers die,
Because they will not live.

1195.

[Jesus, the wonders of Thy name]

Is My hand shortened at all, that it cannot, &c. —l. 2.

Jesus, the wonders of Thy name
To-day as yesterday the same
We all are call'd to prove;
No end is of Thy mercies found,
We cannot stop Thine arm, or bound
The' omnipotence of love.

Thy hand we still unshorten'd see,
All power Divine belongs to Thee,
If sinners dare believe:
Thy power Thou wilt in us exert,
And certify the longing heart
Thou canst on earth forgive.

Thou canst destroy our pardon'd sin,
Produce out of a soul unclean
A saint entire and free,
From every spot and wrinkle pure,
And make our full salvation sure,
And hide our life with Thee.

1196.

[Who is the weak believer, who]

Who is among you that feareth the Lord, &c. —l. 10.

Who is the weak believer, who
Doth still his dreary way pursue,
Inspired with true religious fear,
And following Christ with heart sincere?
Obedient to thy Saviour's voice,
Yet canst thou not in Him rejoice,
Or taste the comforts of His grace,
Or find a God who hides His face.

437

Jesus is vanish'd from thy sight,
No glimpse of bliss, or gleam of light
To cheer thee in the desert way,
Or promise a return of day;
No evidence of things unseen,
But wars without, and fears within,
No witness of thy sins forgiven,
No ray of hope on this side heaven!

Poor, tempted soul, what canst thou do?
Hope against hope, that God is true,
His nature in His name confess,
His wisdom, power, and righteousness;
The Lord, whom now thou canst not see,
Whate'er He is, He is for thee;
Expect; and thou shalt surely prove,
That God in Christ is perfect love.

Till then, on Him thy spirit stay,
Whose death hath borne thy sins away,
Conform'd to Jesus in His blood,
With Him cry out, “My God, my God!
My God, my God, I hold Thee fast,
Till nature's latest pang is pass'd,
Into Thy hands my soul resign,
And then—Thou art for ever mine.”

1197.

[Jesus, to me the grace impart]

I, even I, am He that comforteth you. —li. 12.

Jesus, to me the grace impart,
Which all that mourn receive:
The only Comforter Thou art,
Who only canst forgive.

438

1198.

[“Nay, we have thousands got:”]

Ye have sold yourselves for nought. —lii. 3.

“Nay, we have thousands got:”
And if the world ye gain,
Still ye have sold yourselves for nought
But everlasting pain.

1199.

[To sin, the world, and Satan sold]

Ye shall be redeemed without money. —lii. 3.

To sin, the world, and Satan sold,
Look up thou wretched slave,
The Ransomer of men behold,
Who comes thy soul to save:
He laid the ransom down for thee,
That spotless Lamb of God;
The pardon is to sinners free,
But cost Him all His blood.

1200.

[The angels gazed to see their God]

Many were astonished at Thee. —lii. 14.

The angels gazed to see their God,
A child of man to sinners given!
Again, to see His streaming blood,
They gazed—and silence was in heaven!
The saints admire with strange delight
Their dying Lord enthroned above,
And praise the length, and breadth, and height,
And depth of His stupendous love.

1201.

[Was ever grief like Thine]

His visage was so marred more than any man, &c. —lii. 14.

Was ever grief like Thine,
Jesus, Thou Man of woe!
The visage and the form Divine,
Why was it mangled so?
That man through Thee restored
God's image might regain,
And by the sorrows of his Lord
In joy eternal reign.

439

1202.

[As many as on earth are found]

So shall He sprinkle many nations. —lii. 15.

As many as on earth are found
Redeem'd by sacred gore,
Shall own, where sin doth most abound,
That grace aboundeth more:
Whole nations at His cross shall bow,
His pardoning mercy find:
Come, Thou Desire of nations now,
And sprinkle all mankind!

1203.

[We claim the promise, Lord, for ours!]

The kings shall shut their mouths at Him. —lii. 15.

We claim the promise, Lord, for ours!
O that his soul with all its powers
Might silent in Thy presence fall,
And feel the blood which flow'd for all,
Ashamed to speak, afraid to move,
Lost in astonishment and love!

1204.

[Father, Thou didst chastise our Lord]

The chastisement of our peace was upon Him. —liii. 5.

Father, Thou didst chastise our Lord:
Now let Thine anger cease,
And seal us to Thy grace restored,
In everlasting peace.

1205.

[Pardon through Thy wounds I have]

With His stripes we are healed. —liii. 5.

Pardon through Thy wounds I have:
But is pardon all the cure?
Thou wilt to the utmost save,
Make mine inmost nature pure,
Me to perfect health restore:
Then I shall relapse no more.

1206.

[In loudest songs thy joy declare]

Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; &c. —liv. 1, 2.

In loudest songs thy joy declare,
Thou barren church, that didst not bear,
Thine happy change with shoutings tell;

440

Beyond the ancient Israel bless'd,
Far more abundantly increased,
The widow doth the wife excel:

Enlarge thy dwelling-place, extend
Thy pale to earth's remotest end,
Within no narrow bounds confined,
With cords of everlasting love,
With stakes of truth that cannot move,
Spread out thy tent for all mankind.

1207.

[Redundant as a swelling tide]

For thou shalt break forth on the right hand, &c. —liv. 3.

Redundant as a swelling tide,
Thou shalt break forth on every side,
The dams o'erflow, the mounds bear down;
Thy first-born sons, an holy seed,
Through every distant realm shall spread,
And make the Gentile world their own.

The cities that for ages past,
Through sin lay desolate and waste,
The souls of grace and virtue void,
The zealous children shall repair,
And Christ Himself inhabit there,
And every saint be fill'd with God.

1208.

[With confidence lift up thy face]

Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed, &c. —liv. 4.

With confidence lift up thy face,
Nor dread the scandal and disgrace,
At first on all thy children cast,
“Have any of the great believed?”
Yes; rulers have thy law received,
And kings themselves submit—the last.

441

No more shalt thou upbraided be,
With fewness or with poverty,
Or sad thy widow'd state deplore;
Self-will and pride, thy nature's shame,
Are swallow'd up in Jesu's name,
And sin's confusion is no more.

1209.

[Be bold in Jesus to confide]

For thy Maker is thine Husband; &c. —liv. 5.

Be bold in Jesus to confide,
His creature, and His spotless bride,
Thy Husband's power and goodness prove:
The Holy One of Israel He,
The Lord of hosts hath chosen thee,
In truth, and righteousness, and love.

The middle wall is broken down,
And God to every nation known,
Exalted on His throne of grace,
Shall reign by the whole earth adored,
Sole, sovereign, universal Lord,
God over all the ransom'd race.

1210.

[Cast off for thy unfaithfulness]

For the Lord hath called thee as a woman, &c. —liv. 6–8.

Cast off for thy unfaithfulness,
Thy God had left thee in distress,
A wife of youth condemn'd to mourn;
But scattering all thy grief and pain,
Thy Husband comforts thee again,
I bid thee to My arms return.

I frown'd for a small moment's space,
Hid in a little wrath My face,
But will with mercies great receive;

442

I will thy full Redeemer come,
Gather thee to thine heavenly home,
And everlastingly forgive.

1211.

[For as I once to Noah swore]

For this is as the waters of Noah unto Me: &c. —liv. 9, 10.

For as I once to Noah swore
“A flood should drown the world no more,”
Again the gracious oath I take,
Howe'er I may My own chastise,
My utmost wrath shall never rise,
I will no more My church forsake:

The hills and mountains may depart,
But deeper rooted in My heart,
From hence thou never shalt remove,
I will not take My Spirit away,
But always with My people stay,
The covenant-God of endless love.

1212.

[O thou afflicted church, forlorn]

O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, &c. —liv. 11, 12.

O thou afflicted church, forlorn,
By tempest toss'd, by sorrow torn,
Appearing in thy last distress,
I will thy ruinous state repair,
And build thee up divinely fair,
And deck with all the gems of grace.

I lay the city's base alone,
Myself the precious Corner-stone,
Myself the Wisdom from above;
My Spirit shall in thee reside,
With gifts enrich'd and beautified,
With knowledge, holiness, and love.

443

1213.

[Thy children, all inspired by Me]

All thy children shall be taught, &c. —liv. 13, 14.

Thy children, all inspired by Me,
Full of the Holy Ghost shall be,
Of glorious joy and perfect peace,
Their souls I will anew create,
And stablish in a sinless state,
Through faith's implanted righteousness:

Then shalt thou fear thy foes no more,
Beyond the dire oppressor's power,
Beyond the reach of earth and hell:
My word is to the utmost proved,
The inbred stumbling-block removed,
And sin is quite impossible.

1214.

[The world shall impotently rage]

Behold, they shall surely gather together, &c. —liv. 15, 16.

The world shall impotently rage,
Without My leave their powers engage
To' oppress My church as heretofore:
But blasted by My glorious eyes,
Whoe'er against My favourites rise,
Shall fall at last, to rise no more:

Who forge the instruments of death,
From Me they first receive their breath;
I made the smith that blows the fire;
The waster at My beck destroys;
And when My wrath no more employs,
I burn the weapons of Mine ire.

1215.

[The weapons men or devils frame]

No weapon that is formed against thee, &c. —liv. 17.

The weapons men or devils frame,
The fiery darts shall miss their aim,
Nor once inflict the slightest wound;

444

And who thy spotless life condemn,
Condemn'd themselves and put to shame
Shall all be false-accusers found.

Such is the life My servants live,
So great the joy they here receive
Sure earnest of their joys above,
Pardon'd, and sanctified by grace,
Possessing Me, they all possess
True righteousness, and sinless love.

1216.

[Who comes unto Thee]

Buy without money. —lv. 1.

Who comes unto Thee
A mere sinner like me,
Shall acknowledge Thy grace undeservèd and free,
While astonish'd he buys
Without money or price
A kingdom on earth, and a throne in the skies.

1217.

[Come all the lost race, Redeem'd from your fall]

Ho, every one that thirsteth, &c. —lv. 1–3.

Come all the lost race, Redeem'd from your fall;
A fountain of grace Is open'd for all:
Your God's invitation Discovers the stream;
The wells of salvation Are open'd in Him.

Who seek to be bless'd, But labour in vain,
And sigh for the rest Ye cannot attain,
Come all to the Saviour, Your life-giving Lord,
And find in His favour Your Eden restored.

Poor vagabonds here Who shadows pursue,
To Jesus draw near For happiness true.
Ye all may receive it, (Good news for the poor,)
And when ye believe it, Your pardon is sure.

445

Come, taste, and confess The goodness Divine,
The sense of His grace Is better than wine:
'Tis sweeter than honey, The milk of the word;
'Tis bought without money, The love of your Lord.

No goodness have ye, No goodness ye need;
His mercy is free, Is mercy indeed!
Renounce your own merit, And buy without price
His grace and His Spirit, And crown in the skies.

Distracted by thought And care without end,
Your labour for nought, Ah! why will ye spend,
Your time of probation In trifles employ,
In vain expectation Of fugitive joy?

For pleasure, and praise, And riches ye pant;
Your wishes possess, Yet perish for want:
Destroy'd by fruition, Your bliss ye bemoan,
And wail your condition, Contented with none.

Come just as ye are, For Jesus invites
Mere sinners to share Substantial delights:
Ye weary, and burden'd, Who happy would be,
And wish to be pardon'd, Come, listen to Me.

Be bless'd for My sake, With permanent good
And freely partake Angelical food,
Be fed by believing With Bread from above,
My nature receiving, And fill'd with My love.

The ear of your heart, Whoever incline,
To you I impart My fulness Divine,
Your souls by My Spirit Made meet for the sky,
The life shall inherit, Which never shall die.

1218.

[Jesus, I believe Thee near]

Thus saith the Lord, keep ye judgment, &c. —lvi. 1.

Jesus, I believe Thee near:
My Salvation shall appear,

446

My Salvation from all sin
When I have my Lord within,
Righteousness in Thee is mine,
Spotless righteousness Divine.

Coming in a way of grace
Thee I hasten to embrace,
In the way of duty I
Look to find Thee passing by,
Tow'rd the great Salvation press,
Follow after righteousness.

Thus to meet my Lord I go,
Thus I wait Thy love to know,
Righteousness so long conceal'd,
Perfect love in me reveal'd;
Perfect love, O Christ, Thou art;
Dwell for ever in my heart.

1219.

[Happy is the righteous man]

The righteous perisheth, and no man, &c. —lvii. 1.

Happy is the righteous man,
Snatch'd away to his Beloved:
O might I his lot obtain,
Suddenly from earth removed!
Bless'd, for ever bless'd might I
Soon, and unlamented die!

Take me from the evil, Lord;
Take the evil first from me:
By Thy hallowing grace restored,
Let me here Thy glory see,
Serve Thee with a perfect heart,
Live to God—and then depart.

1220.

[Fain would I put my trust in Thee]

He that putteth his trust in Me, &c. —lvii. 13.

Fain would I put my trust in Thee,
That pleasant land and mountain see:

447

Ah, give me, Saviour, to possess
The land of rest and righteousness;
Then, then my spotless soul lift up,
To meet my Lord on Sion's top,
And claim through Thy redeeming love
A lot with all the saints above!

1221.

[Beyond the bounds of space and time]

Thus saith the high and lofty One, &c. —lvii. 15–17.

Beyond the bounds of space and time
On His eternal throne sublime,
Will God's most glorious majesty
Vouchsafe to cast a look on me?
Yes; if to me His grace impart
The humble, poor, and broken heart,
The holy, high, and lofty One
Shall make my heart His earthly throne.

But how shall I the promise plead?
The genuine poverty I need,
My want of true contrition own,
And deep beneath the burden groan;
With such a wretch insensible
If the great God can ever dwell,
Thou, Jesus, must remove my sin,
And break my heart by entering in.

Come then, my unbelief to end,
Nor always with a worm contend,
Thine anger with my sin remove,
And cheer me by Thy pardoning love:
If Thou despise my helpless case,
Thy creature faints for want of grace;
If Thou Thy dear-bought child forget,
I die despairing at Thy feet.

448

1222.

[Saviour, I now with shame confess]

For the iniquity of his covetousness, &c. —lvii. 17–19.

Saviour, I now with shame confess
My lust of creature-happiness;
By base desires I wrong'd Thy love,
And forced Thy mercy to reprove:
Yet would I not regard Thy stroke,
And when Thou didst Thy grace revoke,
And when Thou didst Thy face conceal,
Thine absence I refused to feel.

I wist not that the Lord was gone,
In my own froward will went on,
And lived to the desires of men;
And Thou hast all my wanderings seen:
Yet, O the riches of Thy grace!
Thou who hast seen my evil ways,
Wilt freely my backslidings heal,
And pardon on my conscience seal.

For this I at Thy footstool wait,
Till Thou my peace again create,
Fruit of Thy gracious lips restore
My peace, and bid me sin no more:
Far off, yet at Thy feet I lie,
Till Thou again Thy blood apply,
Till Thou repeat my sins forgiven,
As far from God as hell from heaven.

But for Thy truth and mercy's sake,
My comfort Thou shalt give me back,
And lead me on from grace to grace,
In all the paths of righteousness,
Till throughly saved my new-born soul,
And perfectly by faith made whole,
Doth bright in Thy full image rise,
To share Thy glory in the skies.

449

1223.

[They must be as the troubled sea]

But the wicked are like the troubled sea, &c. —lvii. 20, 21.

They must be as the troubled sea,
They cannot rest who know not Thee,
Whose working hearts, disturb'd within,
Cast up the mire of actual sin:
No peace the wicked e'er can know,
While hastening to their place below,
But trouble must with sin remain,
Sad earnest of eternal pain.

1224.

[That true remorse, that grief Divine]

A day for a man to afflict his soul. —lviii. 5.

That true remorse, that grief Divine,
Saviour, I long to know:
Strike this hard rocky heart of mine,
And let the waters flow;
Indulge me at Thy feet to grieve
In exquisite distress,
Till Thou my mournful soul receive,
And bid me die in peace.

1225.

[Help, eternal Spirit Divine]

So shall they fear the name of the Lord, &c. —lix. 19.

Help, eternal Spirit Divine,
And stem the tide of sin;
Lo, our enemy and Thine
Is as a flood come in:
In these last apostate days
Out of his mouth the Dragon pours
Rapid streams of wickedness,
And hell Thy church devours.

Spirit of faith, the cross lift up;
By Jesus on the tree
Sin and Satan's progress stop,
And end the' apostasy:
Jesus to the world reveal
The sole, supreme, expiring God,

450

Cast the' Accuser down to hell
Through His victorious blood.

Then mankind shall magnify
The great incarnate Word,
Fear that Name of God most high,
That Glory of the Lord;
Every joyful tongue shall sing
Jehovah shining in the Son,
Christ, the universal King
On His millennial throne!

1226.

[Saviour of the world, come down]

The Redeemer shall come to Zion, &c. —lix. 20.

Saviour of the world, come down
To Thy Jerusalem,
Those who trust in Thee alone
Almighty to redeem,
Struggling, crush'd beneath the load,
Who turn from all their sins to Thee,
Come, and sprinkle with Thy blood
And set Thy people free.

1227.

[Christ, the church's Head with Thee]

As for Me, this is My covenant with them, &c. —lix. 21.

Christ, the church's Head with Thee
Thy body must endure,
Sion's perpetuity
By covenant is sure:
Given through Thee to all Thy seed,
The Spirit shall with Thy church abide,
Teach, and comfort us, and lead,
Our soul's eternal Guide.

All which Thou hast heard above
Thou dost to man declare;
Words of life, and truth, and love,
By Thee inspoken are,

451

Richly in Thy saints they dwell,
Nor ever from their mouth depart:
Witnesses for God, they tell
The gladness of their heart.

All that on Thy name believe,
In every age and place,
Shall the Holy Ghost receive
Mix'd with the word of grace:
In Thy church, till time shall end,
Thy Spirit, Lord, shall still abide,
Till Thou in the clouds descend
To fetch Thy ready bride.

1228.

[Jesus, hail! Thy grace appearing]

Arise, shine; for thy light is come! —lx. 1.

Jesus, hail! Thy grace appearing
Calls me forth from nature's tomb;
Now I find Thy presence cheering,
Now I know that Thou art come!
Rising in Thy resurrection,
Thine my life and power I own,
Shining by Thy love's reflection,
Glorious in Thy light alone.

1229.

[Arise, and shine with borrow'd rays]

Arise, and shine with borrow'd rays,
Bright in reflected lustre shine,
Thy Light is come, the Sun of grace
Appears in majesty Divine,
Jesus, that uncreated Sun
Is risen, on His church to stay,
To make through thee His glory known,
The glory of eternal day.

452

1230.

[While nations unenlighten'd lie]

For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, &c. —lx. 2.

While nations unenlighten'd lie,
With darkness palpable o'erspread,
On thee the Dayspring from on high,
The Lord His brightest beams shall shed,
Stamp'd with the sinless character,
His praise thou shalt display below,
And putting on thy Saviour here,
Jehovah's glorious image show.

1231.

[Light of life eternal, rise]

And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, &c. —lx. 3.

Light of life eternal, rise,
Thy beams of glory dart,
Shine in all the nations' eyes,
And show them who Thou art:
To our dazzled king appear,
And let this image of Thy power
Trembling at a greater near
The rising Sun adore!

1232.

[Drawn by thy grace the sons of night]

Drawn by thy grace the sons of night,
The Gentile world shall come to thee,
And kings o'erpower'd with heavenly light
Admire thy dazzling purity;
Soon as to thee their face they turn,
They shall their royal state forget,
On earth look down with holy scorn,
And lay their crowns at Jesu's feet.

1233.

[Sion, look round with joyful eyes]

Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: &c. —lx. 4.

Sion , look round with joyful eyes,
On all those gathering nations gaze,
Behold, with one consent they rise,
And flock, and flow to thy embrace!

453

Thy countless sons and daughters see;
They come from far with duteous speed,
Come to be nursed, and fed by thee,
With milk sincere, and living bread.

1234.

[Afraid to think the vision true]

Then thou shalt see, and flow together, &c. —lx. 5.

Afraid to think the vision true,
Thy heart with dubious joy shall beat,
Thy heart enlarged shall pant anew,
When forced the real bliss to' admit,
When hosts and fleets to thee resign
The fulness of the lands and floods,
And earth, and sea, and all is thine,
And thou art Christ's, and Christ is God's.

1235.

[Their wealth the children of the East]

The multitude of camels shall cover thee, &c. —lx. 6.

Their wealth the children of the East
Shall first into thy treasury bring,
Devote their most beloved and best,
As holiness to Sion's King;
Incense they shall with gold bestow,
Join'd to thy faithful wrestling race,
And fill Jehovah's courts below
With sweet perfumes of prayer and praise.

1236.

[Kedar shall all its flocks present]

All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered, &c. —lx. 7.

Kedar shall all its flocks present,
Nebaioth's rams Mine altar load,
The Gentiles yield with pure intent
Themselves in sacrifice to God;
The offering shall accepted be,
When precious souls the offering are,
The beauty of My temple see,
And feel My glorious presence there.

454

1237.

[Who, what are these, that as a cloud]

Who are these that fly as a cloud, &c. —lx. 8.

Who, what are these, that as a cloud
Swiftly divide the darken'd sky,
Like flocking doves, a countless crowd,
Like doves which to their windows fly!
Weary of wandering after rest,
Lo, to the ark, the church, they come,
And housing in their Saviour's breast
Haste by an heavenly instinct home.

1238.

[Surely for Christ the isles shall wait]

Surely the isles shall wait for Me, &c. —lx. 9.

Surely for Christ the isles shall wait,
And ships to bring thy sons from far:
They come from their dispersed estate,
With all they have, and all they are:
Jesus, thy Lord, the Holy One
Of Israel for their God they claim,
Who makes in thee His nature known,
His image, and His glorious name.

1239.

[Thy God and thee who never knew]

And the sons of strangers shall build, &c. —lx. 10.

Thy God and thee who never knew,
Strangers shall preach the gospel-word,
The genuine love of children show,
And build the temple of their Lord:
Their kings shall bow to the Most High,
And thee into their bosom take,
And gladly all thy wants supply,
And tend thee for thy Saviour's sake.

1240.

[For lo, My wrath is pacified]

For in My wrath I smote thee, &c. —lx. 10.

For lo, My wrath is pacified,
My wrath which did for ages burn;
Whom once I smote and scatter'd wide
I bid thee to My arms return:

455

My mercy hath removed thy sin,
Thy long obduracy is pass'd,
Israel again is grafted in,
And all thy sons are saved at last.

1241.

[Wherefore thy gates shall open stand]

Therefore thy gates shall be open, &c. —lx. 11.

Wherefore thy gates shall open stand,
By day and night immensely wide,
To' admit the crowds from every land,
The Gentile world's inflowing tide:
The nations shall in Christ believe,
Their kings thy willing converts be,
And brought within thy walls, receive
Their highest dignity from thee.

1242.

[The nation that thy laws disdains]

For the nation and kingdom that will not, &c. —lx. 12.

The nation that thy laws disdains,
The kings who will not Christ adore,
God over all when Jesus reigns,
Shall perish by His glorious power;
Not man's anathemas or sword
Cut off the souls who Christ deny,
But from the presence of the Lord
Cast out, they must for ever die.

1243.

[The cedars shall obey My nod]

The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, &c. —lx. 13.

The cedars shall obey My nod,
And all the trees of righteousness
Unite to form the house of God,
To beautify My holiest place,
The saints from every clime shall meet,
Their talents, gifts, and graces join,
To make My sanctuary complete,
And worthy its great Guest Divine.

456

That place where once I walk'd below,
On Olivet I will appear,
My bleeding feet to Israel show,
While those who pierced behold Me near;
Again I will forsake My throne,
And to My footstool earth descend,
And fill the world with peace unknown,
With glorious joy that ne'er shall end.

1244.

[Before that everlasting day]

The sons of them that afflicted thee shall come, &c. —lx. 14.

Before that everlasting day
Which shall My Israel's foes consume,
With conscious shame, and sore dismay
Their cringing sons to thee shall come,
Thy proud oppressors shall bow down,
In suppliant guise thy feet embrace,
With deep remorse their error own,
And weep, and humbly sue for grace.

Whom once they hated and despised
They call the city of the Lord,
Sion by God beloved and prized,
Where God is known, confess'd, adored:
They own the Holy One is thine,
His holiness to thee is given,
Thou care of Providence Divine,
Thou choicest favourite of Heaven.

1245.

[Whereas thou hast forsaken been]

Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, &c. —lx. 15.

Whereas thou hast forsaken been,
Abhorr'd by all the human race,
A church which none would enter in,
Or help, or pity thy distress;

457

I will Myself the wastes repair;
And distant times with joy shall see
Thy beauteous charms completely fair,
When all My fulness is in thee.

1246.

[By Gentiles nourish'd and caress'd]

Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, &c. —lx. 16.

By Gentiles nourish'd and caress'd
Thou shalt My faithful mercy prove,
Their kings shall cherish in their breast,
And love thee with the tenderest love;
Who gave thee favour in their sight,
Redeem'd with all My strength of grace,
Thou then shalt know with pure delight,
And Me thine utmost Saviour praise.

1247.

[O what a change shall then ensue!]

For brass I will bring gold, and for iron, &c. —lx. 17, 18.

O what a change shall then ensue!
The former things are far removed,
Nature is grace, and old is new,
And all is heighten'd and improved:
Your wood I will convert to brass;
Your souls shall take a finer mould,
The Jewish into Christian pass,
The iron age be turn'd to gold.

I will thine officers create,
And fill their hearts with perfect peace,
Thy publicans shall avarice hate,
Renew'd in love and righteousness;
No violence shall in thee be heard,
Or sad complaint of lawless power,
While Satan is no longer fear'd,
And sin destroys thy land no more.

458

Enclosed with walls of living fire
Thou shalt thy Saviour's name declare,
Thy battlements to heaven aspire;
And saved, thou art already there:
Thy gates shall be entitled Praise,
And those who humbly enter in
Proclaim the glory of My grace,
For ever emptied of all sin!

1248.

[In presence of thy heavenly Lord]

The sun shall be no more thy light by day, &c. —lx. 19.

In presence of thy heavenly Lord
The sun and moon eclipsed shall be,
And when His kingdom is restored,
Thy God is all in all to thee:
The sun and moon no more shall shine,
Or cheer thee with their glimmering ray,
The brighter countenance Divine
Shall make thine everlasting day.

1249.

[Fountain of light thy Saviour is]

Thy sun shall no more go down; &c. —lx. 20.

Fountain of light thy Saviour is,
Thy Saviour is both moon and sun,
A source of unexhausted bliss,
A sun that can no more go down;
Thy bliss shall neither change nor wane,
When Jesus doth thy glory prove,
And never shalt thou lose again
The' eternal sunshine of His love.

Thy happiest state is come at last;
Who canst not sin, thou canst not mourn,
Thy sad afflicted days are pass'd,
And never, never shall return;

459

The spring from whence thy sorrow flow'd
Is dried, when Christ appears in sight,
And sighs before the face of God
Shall take their everlasting flight.

1250.

[In that millennial church below]

Thy people also shall be all righteous: &c. —lx. 21.

In that millennial church below
From every spot and wrinkle freed,
Thy people pure and white as snow,
Thy saints shall all be saints indeed;
Not one unrighteous soul is found,
Where Jesus doth His throne maintain,
But perfected in love, and crown'd
With life, they all for ever reign.

For I who to My promise stand,
Will bid the righteous branch arise,
The work of Mine almighty hand,
The plants prepared for paradise:
They here shall to perfection grow,
To show how angels serve above,
My wisdom, power, and truth to show,
My richest grace, and utmost love.

1251.

[The seed which I resolve to bless]

A little one shall become a thousand, &c. —lx. 22.

The seed which I resolve to bless,
Shall to a mighty nation rise,
Small, to a multitude increase,
O'erspread the earth and reach the skies;
For I the Lord in season due
Will the great final promise seal,
The earth in righteousness renew,
And all My church with glory fill.

460

1252.

[My sins as mountains rise]

Oh that the mountains might flow down, &c. —lxiv. 1.

My sins as mountains rise,
Till Thou the heavens rend,
And lo! I lift my longing eyes
To see my Lord descend:
Before Thy glorious face
The mountains shall remove:
Then, Saviour, all my life is praise,
And all my heart is love.

1253.

[Beneath a mountain-load of night]

Beneath a mountain-load of night,
Of unbelief, I groan,
Till Thou, the true, eternal Light,
To my relief come down,
My darkness by Thy presence chase,
My weight of sin remove;
And show the brightness of Thy face,
In manifested love.

If Thou vouchsafe Thy face to show,
If Thou appear again,
My mountain-sins shall melt and flow,
And pass into a plain.
Fix then Thy presence in my heart,
Be Thou my perfect power,
And unbelief shall all depart,
And pride exist no more.

1254.

[Well doth a summer leaf explain]

We fade as the leaf. —lxiv. 6.

Well doth a summer leaf explain
The transient state of feeble man;
We flourish fair in youthful bloom,
Till age and pallid autumn come;
He comes with sickness at his side,
He withers all our verdant pride;

461

And shook with the first stormy gust,
We drop, and crumble into dust.

1255.

[Is there then a power in man]

There is none that . . . stirreth up himself, &c. —lxiv. 7.

Is there then a power in man
Himself from earth to raise?
Yes; or thou wouldst ne'er complain
We do not use Thy grace:
Yet if now my soul be stirr'd
To apprehend the God unknown,
Still from first to last, O Lord,
The work is all Thine own.

1256.

[My Potter from above]

We are the clay, and Thou our Potter. —lxiv. 8.

My Potter from above,
Clay in Thy hands I am,
Mould me into the form of love,
And stamp with Thy new name:
Thy name is holiness;
Now on this heart of mine
The mark indelible impress,
The purity Divine.

1257.

[Come, Divine effectual power]

Behold, I create new heavens, &c. —lxv. 17, 18.

Come, Divine effectual power,
Fallen nature to restore;
Wait we for Thy presence here,
Long to see Thy throne appear;
Bid the new creation rise,
Bring us back our paradise.

Now our universe create
Fair, beyond its first estate,
When Thine eye with pleasure view'd,
When Thy lips pronounced it good,
Ruin'd now by sin and cursed,
Speak it fairer than at first.

462

Speak again the world from nought,
Let the former be forgot,
Never more recall'd to mind,
While we our Redeemer find,
See with joy Thy smiling face,
Triumph in a world of grace.

Saints anticipate the day,
Our old things are pass'd away,
Whom Thy grace creates anew,
Lord, we now Thy glory shew,
Born to vie with those above,
Born to sing, rejoice, and love.

Sons of God by faith we came
To the New Jerusalem,
Re-begotten by our Lord,
That we may Thy name record,
Tell the wonders of Thy grace,
Shout Thine everlasting praise.

1258.

[Oft hast Thou, Lord, in tender love]

Before they call, I will answer; &c. —lxv. 24.

Oft hast Thou, Lord, in tender love,
Prevented my request,
And sent Thy Spirit from above
An unexpected Guest:
Oft when my prayer was scarce begun
Thou didst Thy grace impart,
And make Thy pardoning mercy known,
And seal it on my heart.

Why this profusion of Thy grace
On such a worm as me?
Father, I ask in fix'd amaze,
Explain the mystery.

463

How canst Thou to a sinner's cry
Incline Thy pitying ear?
Thou hear'st mine Advocate on high
And wilt for ever hear.

1259.

[High on Thy heavenly throne]

To this man will I look, even to him, &c. —lxvi. 2.

High on Thy heavenly throne,
O look with pity down,
To an abject sinner look,
One that on Thy footstool lies!
Help me, Lord, my heart is broke:
Save, or now my spirit dies.

My soul, Thou know'st, is faint,
Ready to die for want;
Still I tremble at Thy word,
“Damn'd the infidel shall be!”
Come my long-expected Lord,
Work the saving faith in me.

Now let Thy look inspire
My soul with pure desire;
Life into my heart convey,
Chase my evil with Thine eyes,
Look these fears and sins away,
Look me up to paradise.

1260.

[Father, we humbly wait to hear]

Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble, &c. —lxvi. 5.

Father, we humbly wait to hear
Thy word of reconciling grace,
Who long bow'd down with legal fear,
Have sought in Christ Thy smiling face,
But never could the blessing prove,
The sweetness of Thy pardoning love.

464

Hated because we fear Thy name,
And feebly after Jesus go,
Daily exposed to grief and shame
By those who care not Thee to know,
Our brethren's injuries we bear,
And wait till Thou Thy Son declare.

Our brethren false, with furious zeal
For order and the Church's peace,
Us from their synagogues expel,
Our Master thus to serve and please,
And while Thy sheep they seek to kill,
Deny the Scriptures, and fulfil.

But O! Thy changeless word is pass'd,
Thou wilt in us Thy Son reveal;
Our Saviour shall appear at last,
And bring the joy unspeakable,
Before our blushing foes confess,
And crown His suffering witnesses.

1261.

[A voice of shrieking fear]

A voice of noise from the city, &c. —lxvi. 6–8.

A voice of shrieking fear
Doth from the city sound,
A voice ye from the temple hear
While tumbling to the ground!
A voice from heaven proclaims
The vengeful wrath of God!
The bloody city sinks in flames,
The temple is destroy'd!

Yet Sion stands secure,
And ever shall abide,
She must from age to age endure
By Jesus multiplied:

465

Out of Jerusalem
The Lord a church shall raise,
To magnify the Christian name
And spread the Founder's praise.

Let all mankind adore
The miracle unknown:
Sion brought forth her child, before
Her bearing throes begun:
Who can the birth explain?
The birth to God she owed,
Without a sharp or lingering pain
Deliver'd of her load:

Shall teeming earth at once
Autumnal fruits display,
The church produce her countless sons,
A nation in a day?
Yes, when the word applied
Begat the faithful race,
Nations at once were justified
By instantaneous grace.

1262.

[Thy faithful God, shall I]

Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause, &c. —lxvi. 9.

Thy faithful God, shall I
Bring to the birth in vain,
And leave My helpless church to die
In unavailing pain?
Who brought her through her throes
Shall I restrain My power,
The fruitful womb in anger close,
And bid it bear no more?

Nay, but I surely will
Perform the work begun,
The counsel of My grace fulfil,
And make My mercy known,

466

Through all the nations spread
Good news of sin forgiven,
And multiply the chosen seed
Beyond the stars of heaven.

1263.

[All ye that Sion love]

Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad, &c. —lxvi. 10, 11.

All ye that Sion love
Rejoice in her increase,
Yourselves begotten from above
To taste her happiness;
Who wept her state decay'd,
Let every mournful soul
In her prosperity be glad
With joy for ever full:

The heavenly comforts share
With which her breasts are stored,
Draw out the milk, by faith and prayer,
The sweetness of the word;
With fulness of delight
Her ordinances love,
And see with her the glorious Sight,
Which makes their heaven above.

1264.

[For I My Sion's peace]

For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will, &c. —lxvi. 12.

For I My Sion's peace
Will as a stream extend:
Which still runs on with large increase,
In boundless bliss to end:
The riches of her grace
The Gentiles too shall know,
And pour their glory in, to raise
And make her joy o'erflow.

The church shall then appear
In full felicity;

467

And every gospel-minister
A tender nurse shall be;
Her children dwell at ease
With every comfort bless'd,
While dandled on their mother's knees,
And cherish'd in her breast.

1265.

[With graces from above]

As one whom his mother comforteth, &c. —lxvi. 13, 14.

With graces from above
Myself will comfort you,
And fondle with a kinder love
Than mothers ever knew;
Your joyful souls shall see
Jerusalem restored,
Your bones revived and strengthen'd be
By virtue from the Lord:

He in the heathen's sight
For you His hand shall raise,
The hand of His supporting might,
Of His enriching grace;
But dreadful to His foes
He shall His strength employ,
And crush whoe'er His church oppose,
And anti-Christ destroy.

1266.

[For lo! the Lord will come]

For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, &c. —lxvi. 15, 16.

For lo! the Lord will come
Out of His holy place,
With sword and fire destroy, consume
The anti-Christian race!
The' apostates' doom to seal
Loud-thundering from afar
He comes: and furious whirlwinds wheel
Jehovah's rapid car:

468

Before the last great day
He doth His judgments shower,
The wicked sweeps from earth away,
Before the pit devour!
Heaps upon heaps He strews
In the decisive vale;
The vinepress of His wrath o'erflows,
And gives a taste of hell.

1267.

[Father of boundless grace]

It shall come, that I will gather all nations, &c. —lxvi. 18.

Father of boundless grace,
Thou hast in part fulfill'd
Thy promise made to Adam's race,
In God incarnate seal'd:
A few from every land
At first to Salem came,
And saw the wonders of Thy hand,
And saw the tongues of flame!

From thence Thy heralds run
To earth's remotest bound,
And made Thy glorious mercy known,
And spread the joyful sound:
They call'd the listening throng
To know their sins forgiven,
And brought them in, from every tongue
And nation under heaven.

Yet still we wait the end,
The coming of our Lord,
The full accomplishment attend
Of Thy prophetic word:
Thy promise deeper lies
In unexhausted grace,
And new-discover'd worlds arise
To sing their Saviour's praise.

469

Beloved for Jesu's sake,
By Him redeem'd of old,
All nations must come in, and make
One undivided fold;
While gather'd in by Thee,
And perfected in one,
They all at once Thy glory see
In Thine eternal Son.

1268.

[Almighty God of love]

I will set a sign among them, &c. —lxvi. 19.

Almighty God of love,
Set up the' attracting sign,
And summon whom Thou dost approve
For messengers Divine;
From Abraham's favour'd seed
Thy new apostles choose,
In isles and continents to spread
The dead-reviving news:

Them snatch'd out of the flame
Through every nation send
The true Messias to proclaim
The universal Friend;
That all the God unknown
May learn of Jews to' adore,
And see Thy glory in Thy Son
Till time shall be no more.

1269.

[O that the chosen band]

And they shall bring all your brethren, &c. —lxvi 20.

O that the chosen band
Might now their brethren bring,
And gather'd out of every land
Present to Sion's King;

470

Of all the ancient race
Not one be left behind,
But each impell'd by secret grace
His way to Canaan find!

We know, it must be done,
For God hath spoke the word,
All Israel shall their Saviour own,
To their first state restored:
Rebuilt by His command,
Jerusalem shall rise,
Her temple on Moriah stand
Again, and touch the skies.

1270.

[Send then Thy servants forth]

Send then Thy servants forth
To call the Hebrews home,
From west and east, and south and north,
Let all the wanderers come;
Where'er in lands unknown
Thy fugitives remain,
Bid every creature help them on
Thy holy mount to gain:

An offering to their God
There let them all be seen,
Sprinkled with water and with blood,
In soul and body clean;
With Israel's myriads seal'd
Let all the nations meet,
And show Thy mystery fulfill'd,
Thy family complete.

471

1271.

[Jesus, we wait to see]

I will take of them for priests, &c. —lxvi. 21–23.

Jesus, we wait to see
That spotless church of Thine,
The heaven-appointed ministry,
The hierarchy Divine:
Command her now to rise
With perfect beauty pure,
Long as the new-made earth and skies
To flourish and endure;

A church which may remain
With all Thy works restored,
Commensurate with time, obtain
The nature of her Lord;
A church to comprehend
The whole of human race,
And live in joys that never end
Before Thy glorious face.

University of Virginia Library

IX. VOLUME IX.

SHORT HYMNS ON SELECT PASSAGES OF THE Holy Scriptures.

GENESIS.

1.

[By faith we know, the world was made]

2.

[Such is my soul, confused and void]

3.

[Expand Thy wings, celestial Dove]

4.

[Let there be light (again command)]

5.

[Father, Son, and Holy Ghost]

6.

[How are the mighty fallen!]

7.

[Who madest thus the earth and skies]

8.

[Father, see this living clod]

9.

[Not from his head was woman took]

10.

[Still the old serpent doth deceive]

11.

[She saw; she took; she ate]

12.

[Jesus, Thou art a tree]

13.

[Open'd are their eyes to see]

14.

[I know myself the same]

15.

[Their first concern alas, is mine]

16.

[Not on the whirlwind's wings He flies]

17.

[How soon the fruits of sin appear!]

18.

[Farther, and farther still I run]

19.

[How backward man himself to blame!]

20.

[We blame the fiend, ourselves to clear]

21.

[Father, inspire my alter'd heart]

22.

[Awake, the woman's heavenly Seed]

23.

[Heavenly Principle within]

24.

[Rise, the woman's conquering Seed]

25.

[Satan himself fulfils Thy word]

26.

[Eager alas, for sensual good]

27.

[Most righteous God, my doom I bear]

28.

[Why should a mortal man complain]

29.

[I bow me to my God's decree]

30.

[Clothed with the skins of victims slain]

31.

[O Thou slaughter'd Lamb of God]

32.

[Spoil'd of the bliss to Adam given]

33.

[Happy who in Christ delight]

34.

[Principled with godly fear]

35.

[Though every sinful act increase]

36.

[Lusting to shed his brother's blood]

37.

[How loud the blood of Abel cries]

38.

[O that I might walk with God!]