Chapter VII: Book 2: Composed on Divine Subjects (3)

Hymn 2:118. The priesthood of Christ.

1 Blood has a voice to pierce the skies _Revenge_, the blood of Abel cries; But the dear stream when Christ was slain Speaks _Peace_ as loud from ev'ry vein.

2 Pardon and peace from God on high, Behold he lays his vengeance by, And rebels that deserv'd his sword, Become the favourites of the Lord.

3 To Jesus let our praises rise, Who gave his life a sacrifice; Now he appears before his God, And for our pardon pleads his blood.

Hymn 2:119. The holy scriptures.

1 Laden with guilt, and full of fears, I fly to thee, my Lord, And not a glimpse of hope appears, But in thy written word.

2 The volume of my Father's grace Does all my griefs assuage: Here I behold my Saviour's face Almost in every page.

3 [This is the field where hidden lies The pearl of price unknown, That merchant is divinely wise Who makes the pearl his own.]

4 [Here consecrated water flows To quench my thirst of sin; Here the fair tree of knowledge grows, Nor danger dwells therein.]

5 This is the Judge that ends the strife, Where wit and reason fail; My guide to everlasting life, Thro' all this gloomy vale.

6 O may thy counsels, mighty God, My roving feet command; Nor I forsake the happy road That leads to thy right-hand.

Hymn 2:120. The law and gospel joined in scripture.

1 The Lord declares his will, And keeps the world in awe; Amidst the smoke on Sinai's hill Breaks out his fiery law.

2 The Lord reveals his face, And smiling from above, Sends down the gospel of his grace, Th' epistles of his love.

3 These sacred words impart Our Maker's just commands; The pity of his melting heart, And vengeance of his hands.

4 [Hence we awake our fear, We draw our comfort hence; The arms of grace are treasur'd here, And armour of defence.

5 We learn Christ crucify'd, And here behold his blood: All arts and knowledges beside Will do us little good.]

6 We read the heavenly word, We take the offer'd grace, Obey the statutes of the Lord, And trust his promises.

7 In vain shall Satan rage Against a book divine; Where wrath and lightning guard the page, Where beams of mercy shine.

Hymn 2:121. The law and gospel distinguished.

1 The law commands, and makes us know What duties to our God we owe; But 'tis the gospel must reveal Where lies our strength to do his will.

2 The law discovers guilt and sin, And shews how vile our hearts have been; Only the gospel can express Forgiving love and cleansing grace.

3 What curses doth the law denounce Against the man that fails but once! But in the gospel Christ appears Pardoning the guilt of numerous years.

4 My soul, no more attempt to draw Thy life and comfort from the law, Fly to the hope the gospel gives; The man that trusts the promise lives.

Hymn 2:122. Retirement and meditation.

1 My God, permit me not to be A stranger to myself and thee; Amidst a thousand thoughts I rove Forgetful of my highest love.

2 Why should my passions mix with earth, And thus debase my heavenly birth? Why should I cleave to things below, And let my God, my Saviour go?

3 Call me away from flesh and sense, One sovereign word can draw me thence; I would obey the voice divine, And all inferior joys resign.

4 Be earth with all her scenes withdrawn, Let noise and vanity be gone; In secret silence of the mind, My heaven, and there my God I find.

Hymn 2:123. The benefit of public ordinances.

1 Away from every mortal care, Away from earth our souls retreat; We leave this worthless world afar, And wait and worship near thy seat.

2 Lord, in the temple of thy grace We see thy feet, and we adore; We gaze upon thy lovely face, And learn the wonders of thy power.

3 While here our various wants we mourn, United groans ascend on high, And prayer bears a quick return Of blessings in variety.

4 [If Satan rage and sin grow strong, Here we receive some cheering word; We gird the gospel armour on To fight the battles of the Lord.

5 Or if our spirit faints and dies, (Our conscience gall'd with inward stings) Here doth the righteous sun arise With healing beams beneath his wings.]

6 Father, my soul would still abide Within thy temple, near thy side; But if my feet must hence depart Still keep thy dwelling in my heart.

Hymn 2:124. Moses, Aaron, and Joshua.

1 'Tis not the law of ten commands On holy Sinai given, Or sent to men by Moses' hands, Can bring us safe to heaven.

2 'Tis not the blood which Aaron spilt, Nor smoke of sweetest smell, Can buy a pardon for our guilt, Or save our souls from hell.

3 Aaron the priest resigns his breath At God's immediate will; And in the desert yields to death Upon th' appointed hill.

4 And thus on Jordan's yonder side The tribes of Israel stand, While Moses bow'd his head and dy'd Short of the promis'd land.

5 Israel rejoice, now Joshua * leads, He'll bring your tribes to rest; So far the Saviour's name exceeds The ruler and the priest.

* Joshua, the same with Jesus, and signifies a Saviour.

Hymn 2:125. Faith and repentance; unbelief and impenitence.

1 Life and immortal joys are given To those that mourn the sins they've done, Children of wrath made heirs of heaven By faith in God's eternal Son.

2 Woe to the wretch that never felt The inward pangs of pious grief, But adds to all his crying guilt The stubborn sin of unbelief.

3 The law condemns the rebel dead, Under the wrath of God he lies, He seals the curse on his own head, And with a double vengeance dies.

Hymn 2:126. God glorified in the gospel.

1 The Lord, descending from above, Invites his children near, While power and truth and boundless love Display their glories here.

2 Here in thy gospel's wondrous frame Fresh wisdom we pursue; A thousand angels learn thy Name Beyond whate'er they knew.

3 Thy Name is writ in fairest lines, Thy wonders here we trace; Wisdom thro' all the mystery shines, And shines in Jesu's face.

4 The law its best obedience owes To our incarnate God; And thy revenging justice shows Its honours in his blood.

6 But still the lustre of thy grace Our warmer thoughts employs, Gilds the whole scene with brighter rays, And more exalts our joys.

Hymn 2:127. Circumcision and baptism. (Written only for those who practise infant baptism.)

1 Thus did the sons of Abrah'm pass Under the bloody seal of grace; The young disciples bore the yoke, Till Christ the painful bondage broke.

2 By milder ways doth Jesus prove His Father's covenant, and his love; He seals to saints his glorious grace, And not forbids their infant race.

3 Their seed is sprinkled with his blood, Their children set apart for God, His Spirit on their offspring shed, Like water pour'd upon the head.

4 Let every saint with cheerful voice In this large covenant rejoice; Young children in their early days Shall give the God of Abrah'm praise.

Hymn 2:128. Corrupt nature from Adam.

1 Bless'd with the joy of innocence Adam, our father, stood, Till he debas'd his soul to sense, And ate th' unlawful food.

2 Now we are born a sensual race, To sinful joys inclin'd; Reason has lost its native place, And flesh enslaves the mind.

3 While flesh and sense and passion reigns, Sin is the sweetest good: We fancy music in our chains, And so forget the load.

4 Great God, renew our ruin'd frame, Our broken powers restore, Inspire us with a heavenly flame, And flesh shall reign no more.

5 Eternal Spirit, write thy law Upon our inward parts, And let the second Adam draw His image on our hearts.

Hymn 2:129. We walk by faith, not by sight.

1 'Tis by the faith of joys to come We walk thro' deserts dark as night; Till we arrive at heaven our home, Faith is our guide, and faith our light.

2 The want of sight she well supplies, She makes the pearly gates appear; Far into distant worlds she pries, And brings eternal glories near.

3 Cheerful we tread the desert thro', While faith inspires a heavenly ray, Tho' lions roar, and tempests blow, And rocks and dangers fill the way.

4 So Abrah'm, by divine command, Left his own house to walk with God; His faith beheld the promis'd land, And fir'd his zeal along the road.

Hymn 2:130. The new creation.

1 Attend while God's exalted Son Doth his own glories shew; "Behold I sit upon my throne Creating all things new.

2 "Nature and sin are pass'd away, And the old Adam dies; "My hands a new foundation lay, "See the new world arise.

3 "I'll be a sun of righteousness "To the new-heavens I make; "None but the new-born heirs of grace "My glories shall partake."

4 Mighty Redeemer, set me free From my old state of sin; O make my soul alive to thee, Create new powers within.

5 Renew mine eyes, and form mine ears, And mould my heart afresh; Give me new passions, joys and fears, And turn the stone to flesh.

6 Far from the regions of the dead, From sin, and earth, and hell, In the new-world that grace has made I would for ever dwell.

Hymn 2:131. The excellency of the Christian religion.

1 Let everlasting glories crown Thy head, my Saviour and my Lord; Thy hands have brought salvation down, And writ the blessings in thy word.

2 [What if we trace the globe around, And search from Britain to Japan, There shall be no religion found So just to God, so safe for man.]

3 In vain the trembling conscience seeks Some solid ground to rest upon; With long despair the spirit breaks, Till we apply to Christ alone.

4 How well thy blessed truths agree! How wise and holy thy commands! Thy promises how firm they be! How firm our hope and comfort stands!

5 [Not the feign'd fields of heathenish bliss Could raise such pleasures in the mind; Nor does the Turkish paradise Pretend to joys so well refin'd.]

6 Should all the forms that men devise Assault my faith with treacherous art, I'd call them vanity and lies And bind the gospel to my heart.

Hymn 2:132. The offices of Christ.

1 We bless the Prophet of the Lord, That comes with truth and grace; Jesus, thy Spirit and thy word Shall lead us in thy ways.

2 We reverence our High Priest above, Who offer'd up his blood, And lives to carry on his love, By pleading with our God.

3 We honour our exalted King, How sweet are his commands! He guards our souls from hell and sin By his almighty hands.

4 Hosanna to his glorious Name, Who saves by different ways; His mercies lay a sovereign claim To our immortal praise.

Hymn 2:133. The operations of the Holy Spirit.

1 Eternal Spirit! we confess And sing the wonders of thy grace; Thy power conveys our blessings down From God the Father and the Son.

2 Enlighten'd by thine heavenly ray Our shades and darkness turn to day; Thine inward teachings make us know Our danger and our refuge too.

3 Thy power and glory works within, And breaks the chains of reigning sin, Doth our imperious lusts subdue, And forms our wretched hearts anew.

4 The troubled conscience knows thy voice, Thy cheering words awake our joys; Thy words allay the stormy wind, And calm the surges of the mind.

Hymn 2:134. Circumcision abolished.

1 The promise was divinely free, Extensive was the grace; "I will the God of Abrah'm be, "And of his numerous race."

2 He said; and with a bloody seal Confirm'd the words he spoke; Long did the Sons of Abrah'm feel The sharp and painful yoke.

3 Till God's own Son, descending low, Gave his own flesh to bleed; And Gentiles taste the blessing now, From the hard bondage freed.

4 The God of Abrah'm claims our praise, His promises endure; And Christ the Lord in gentler ways Makes the salvation sure.

Hymn 2:135. Types and prophecies of Christ.

1 Behold the woman's promis'd seed! Behold the great Messiah come! Behold the prophets all agreed To give him the superior room!

2 Abrah'm the saint rejoic'd of old When visions of the Lord he saw; Moses the man of God foretold This great fulfiller of his law.

3 The types bore witness to his Name, Obtain'd their chief design, and ceas'd; The incense and the bleeding lamb, The ark, the altar, and the priest.

4 Predictions in abundance meet To join their blessings on his head; Jesus, we worship at thy feet, And nations own the promis'd seed.

Hymn 2:136. Miracles at the birth of Christ.

1 The King of Glory sends his Son To make his entrance on this earth! Behold the midnight bright as noon, And heavenly hosts declare his birth!

2 About the young Redeemer's head What wonders and what glories meet! An unknown star arose, and led The eastern sages to his feet.

3 Simeon and Anna both conspire The Infant-Saviour to proclaim; Inward they felt the sacred fire, And bless'd the babe, and own'd his Name.

4 Let Jews and Greeks blaspheme aloud, And treat the holy Child with scorn; Our souls adore th' eternal God Who condescended to be born.

Hymn 2:137. Miracles in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

1 Behold the blind their sight receive; Behold the dead awake and live; The dumb speak wonders, and the lame Leap like the hart, and bless his Name.

2 Thus doth th' eternal Spirit own And seal the mission of the Son; The Father vindicates his cause, While he hangs bleeding on the cross.

3 He dies; the heavens in mourning stood; He rises, and appears a God; Behold the Lord ascending high, No more to bleed, no more to die.

4 Hence and for ever from my heart I bid my doubts and fears depart; And to those hands my soul resign Which bear credentials so divine.

Hymn 2:138. The power of the gospel.

1 This is the word of truth and love, Sent to the nations from above; Jehovah here resolves to shew What his almighty grace can do.

2 This remedy did wisdom find To heal diseases of the mind: This sovereign balm, whose virtues can Restore the ruin'd creature, man.

3 The gospel bids the dead revive, Sinners obey the voice, and live; Dry bones are rais'd and cloth'd afresh, And hearts of stone are turn'd to flesh.

4 [Where Satan reign'd in shades of night The gospel strikes a heavenly light; Our lusts its wondrous power controls, And calms the rage of angry souls.]

5 [Lions and beasts of savage name Put on the nature of the lamb; Whilst the wild world esteems it strange Gaze, and admire, and hate the change.]

6 May but this grace my soul renew, Let sinners gaze and hate me too; The word that saves me does engage A sure defence from all their rage.

Hymn 2:139. The example of Christ.

1 My dear Redeemer and my Lord, I read my duty in thy word; But in thy life the law appears Drawn out in living characters.

2 Such was thy truth, and such thy zeal, Such deference to thy Father's will, Such love, and meekness so divine, I would transcribe, and make them mine.

3 Cold mountains and the midnight air Witness'd the fervor of thy prayer: The desert thy temptations knew, Thy conflict and thy victory too.

4 Be thou my pattern; make me bear More of thy gracious image here; Then God the Judge shall own my name, Amongst the followers of the Lamb.

Hymn 2:140. The example: of Christ and the saints.

1 Give me the wings of faith to rise Within the veil, and see The saints above, how great their joys, How bright their glories be.

2 Once they were mourning here below, And wet their couch with tears; They wrestled hard, as we do now, With sins, and doubts, and fears.

3 I ask them whence their victory came, They, with united breath, Ascribe their conquest to the Lamb, Their triumph to his death.

4 They mark'd the footsteps that he trod, (His zeal inspir'd their breast;) And following their incarnate God Possess the promis'd rest.

5 Our glorious Leader claims our praise For his own pattern given, While the long cloud of witnesses Shew the same path to heaven.

Hymn 2:141. Faith assisted by sense; or, Preaching, baptism, and the Lord's Supper.

1 My Saviour-God, my Sovereign-Prince Reigns far above the skies; But brings his graces down to sense, And helps my faith to rise.

2 My eyes and ears shall bless his Name, They read and hear his word; My touch and taste shall do the same When they receive the Lord.

3 Baptismal water is design'd To seal his cleansing grace; While at his feast of bread and wine He gives his saints a place.

4 But not the waters of a flood Can make my flesh so clean, As by his Spirit and his blood He'll wash my soul from sin.

5 Not choicest meats or noblest wines, So much my heart refresh, As when my faith goes thro' the signs, And feeds upon his flesh.

6 I love the Lord, that stoops so low To give his word a seal; But the rich grace his hands bestow Exceeds the figures still.

Hymn 2:142. Faith in Christ our sacrifice.

1 Not all the blood of beasts On Jewish altars slain Could give the guilty conscience peace, Or wash away the stain.

2 But Christ the heavenly Lamb Takes all our sins away; A sacrifice of nobler name And richer blood than they.

3 My faith would lay her hand On that dear head of thine, While like a penitent I stand And there confess my sin.

4 My soul looks back to see The burdens thou didst bear When hanging on the cursed tree, And hopes her guilt was there.

5 Believing we rejoice To see the curse remove; We bless the Lamb with cheerful voice, And sing his bleeding love.

Hymn 2:143. Flesh and spirit.

1 What different powers of grace and sin Attend our mortal state! I hate the thoughts that work within, And do the works I hate.

2 Now I complain, and groan, and die, While sin and Satan reign: Now raise my songs of triumph high, For grace prevails again.

3 So darkness struggles with the light Till perfect day arise; Water and fire maintain the fight Until the weaker dies.

4 Thus will the flesh and spirit strive, And vex and break my peace; But I shall quit this mortal life, And sin for ever cease.

Hymn 2:144. The effusion of the Spirit; or, The success of the gospel.

1 Great was the day, the joy was great, When the divine disciples met; Whilst on their heads the Spirit came, And sat like tongues of cloven flame.

2 What gifts, what miracles he gave! And power to kill, and power to save! Furnish'd their tongues with wondrous words, Instead of shields, and spears, and swords.

3 Thus arm'd, he sent the champions forth From east to west, from south to north; "Go, and assert your Saviour's cause, "Go, spread the mystery of his cross."

4 These weapons of the holy war, Of what almighty force they are To make our stubborn passions bow, And lay the proudest rebel low!

5 Nations, the learned and the rude, Are by these heavenly arms subdu'd; While Satan rages at his loss, And hates the doctrine of the cross.

6 Great King of Grace, my heart subdue, I would be led in triumph too, A willing captive to my Lord, And sing the victories of his word.

Hymn 2:145. Sight through a glass, and face to face.

1 I love the windows of thy grace Thro' which my Lord is seen, And long to meet my Saviour's face Without a glass between.

2 O, that the happy hour were come To change my faith to sight! I shall behold my Lord at home In a diviner light.

3 Haste, my beloved, and remove These interposing days: Then shall my passions all be love, And all my powers be praise.

Hymn 2:146. The vanity of creatures; or, No rest on earth.

1 Man has a soul of vast desires, He burns within with restless fires; Tost to and fro, his passions fly From vanity to vanity.

2 In vain on earth we hope to find Some solid good to fill the mind, We try new pleasures, but we feel The inward thirst and torment still.

3 So when a raging fever burns We shift from side to side by turns, And 'tis a poor relief we gain To change the place, but keep the pain.

4 Great God, subdue this vicious thirst, This love to vanity and dust; Cure the vile fever of the mind, And feed our souls with joys refin'd.

Hymn 2:147. The creation of the world, Gen. 1.

1 "Now let a spacious world arise," Said the Creator-Lord: At once the obedient earth and skies Rose at his sovereign word.

2 [Dark was the deep; the waters lay Confus'd and drown'd the land: He call'd the light; the new-born day Attends on his command.

3 He bids the clouds ascend on high; The clouds ascend and bear A watery treasure to the sky, And float on softer air.

4 The liquid element below Was gather'd by his hand; The rolling seas together flow, And leave the solid land.

5 With herbs and plants, a flowery birth, The naked globe he crown'd, Ere there was rain to bless the earth, Or sun to warm the ground.

6 Then he adorn'd the upper skies; Behold the sun appears, The moon and stars in order rise To make our months and years,

7 Out of the deep th' almighty King Did vital beings frame; The painted fowls of every wing, And fish of every name.]

8 He gave the lion and the worm At once their wondrous birth; And grazing beasts of various form, Rose from the teeming earth.

9 Adam was fram'd of equal clay, Tho' sovereign of the rest, Design'd for nobler ends than they, With God's own image bless'd.

10 Thus glorious in the Maker's eye The young creation stood; He saw the building from on high, His word pronounc'd it good.

11 Lord, while the frame of nature stands, Thy praise shall fill my tongue; But the new world of grace demands A more exalted song.

Hymn 2:148. God reconciled in Christ.

1 Dearest of all the names above My Jesus, and my God, Who can resist thy heavenly love, Or trifle with thy blood?

2 'Tis by the merits of thy death The Father smiles again; 'Tis by thine interceding breath The Spirit dwells with men.

3 Till God in human flesh I see, My thoughts no comfort find; The holy, just, and sacred Three Are terrors to my mind.

4 But if Immanuel's face appear, My hope, my joy, begins; His Name forbids my slavish fear, His grace removes my sins.

5 While Jews on their own law rely, And Greeks of wisdom boast, I love th' incarnate mystery, And there I fix my trust.

Hymn 2:149. Honour to Magistrates; or, Government from God.

1 Eternal Sovereign of the sky, And Lord of all below, We mortals to thy majesty Our first obedience owe.

2 Our souls adore thy throne supreme, And bless thy providence For magistrates of meaner name, Our glory and defence.

3 [The crowns of British princes shine With rays above the rest, Where laws and liberties combine To make the nation bless'd.]

4 Kingdoms on firm foundations stand, While virtue finds reward; And sinners perish from the land By justice and the sword.

5 Let Cesar's due be ever paid To Cesar and his throne; But consciences and souls were made To be the Lord's alone.

Hymn 2:150. The deceitfulness of sin.

1 Sin has a thousand treacherous arts To practise on the mind; With flattering looks she tempts our hearts But leaves a sting behind.

2 With names of virtue she deceives The aged and the young; And while the heedless wretch believes, She makes his fetters strong.

3 She pleads for all the joys she brings, And gives a fair pretence; But cheats the soul of heavenly things, And chains it down to sense.

4 So on a tree divinely fair Grew the forbidden food; Our mother took the poison there, And tainted all her blood.

Hymn 2:151. Prophesy and inspiration.

1 'Twas by an order from the Lord The ancient prophets spoke his word; His Spirit did their tongues inspire, And warm'd their hearts with heavenly fire.

2 The works and wonders which they wrought Confirm'd the messages they brought; The prophet's pen succeeds his breath To save the holy words from death.

3 Great God, mine eyes with pleasure look On the dear volume of thy book; There my Redeemer's face I see, And read his name who dy'd for me.

4 Let the false raptures of the mind Be lost and vanish in the wind; Here I can fix my hopes secure, This is thy word, and must endure.

Hymn 2:152. Sinai and Sion, Heb. 12. 18 &c.

1 Not to the terrors of the Lord, The tempest, fire, and smoke, Not to the thunder of that word Which God on Sinai spoke;

2 But we are come to Sion's hill, The city of our God, Where milder words declare his will And spread his love abroad.

3 Behold th' innumerable host Of angels cloth'd in light! Behold the spirits of the just Whose faith is turn'd to sight!

4 Behold the bless'd assembly there, Whose names are writ in heaven; And God the judge of all declares Their vilest sins forgiven.

5 The saints on earth and all the dead But one communion make; All join in Christ their living head, And of his grace partake.

6 In such society as this My weary soul would rest: The man that dwells where Jesus is, Must be for ever blest.

Hymn 2:153. The distemper, folly, and madness of sin.

1 Sin like a venomous disease Infects our vital blood; The only balm is sovereign grace, And the physician, God.

2 Our beauty and our strength are fled, And we draw near to death; But Christ the Lord recalls the dead With his almighty breath.

3 Madness by nature reigns within, The passions burn and rage; Till God's own Son with skill divine The inward fire assuage.

4 [We lick the dust, we grasp the wind, And solid good despise; Such is the folly of the mind, Till Jesus makes us wise.

5 We give our souls the wounds they feel, We drink the poisonous gall, And rush with fury down to hell; But heaven prevents the fall.]

6 [The man possess'd amongst the tombs, Cuts his own flesh and cries; He foams, and raves, till Jesus comes, And the foul spirit flies.]

Hymn 2:154. Self-righteousness insufficient.

1 "Where are the mourners, [1] (saith the Lord) "That wait and tremble at my word, "That walk in darkness all the day? "Come, make my name your trust and stay.

2 ["No works nor duties of your own "Can for the smallest sin atone; "The robes [2] that nature may provide "Will not your least pollutions hide.

3 "The softest couch that nature knows "Can give the conscience no repose: "Look to my righteousness, and live; "Comfort and peace are mine to give.]

4 "Ye sons of pride that kindle coals "With your own hands to warm your souls, "Walk in the light of your own fire, "Enjoy the sparks that ye desire.

5 "This is your portion at my hands; "Hell waits you with her iron bands, "Ye shall lie down in sorrow there, "In death, in darkness, and despair."

[1] Isaiah 1:10-11. [2] Isaiah 28:20.

Hymn 2:155. Christ our passover.

1 Lo the destroying angel flies To Pharaoh's stubborn land: The pride and flower of Egypt dies By his vindictive hand.

2 He pass'd the tents of Jacob o'er, Nor pour'd the wrath divine; He saw the blood on every door, And bless'd the peaceful sign.

3 Thus th' appointed Lamb must bleed To break th' Egyptian yoke; Thus Israel is from bondage freed, And 'scapes the angel's stroke.

4 Lord, if my heart were sprinkled too With blood so rich as thine, Justice no longer would pursue This guilty soul of mine.

5 Jesus our passover was slain, And has at once procur'd Freedom from Satan's heavy chain, And God's avenging sword.

Hymn 2:156. Presumption and despair; or, Satan's various temptations.

1 I hate the tempter and his charms, I hate his flattering breath; The serpent takes a thousand forms To cheat our souls to death.

2 He feeds our hopes with airy dreams, Or kills with slavish fear; And holds us still in wide extremes, Presumption, or despair.

3 Now he persuades, "How easy 'tis "To walk the road to heaven;" Anon he swells our sins, and cries, "They cannot be forgiven."

4 [He bids young sinners, "Yet forbear "To think of God or death; "For prayer and devotion are "But melancholy breath."

5 He tells the aged, "They must die, "And 'tis too late to pray; "In vain for mercy now they cry, "For they have lost their day."]

6 Thus he supports his cruel throne By mischief and deceit; And drags the sons of Adam down To darkness and the pit.

7 Almighty God, cut short his power, Let him in darkness dwell; And, that he vex the earth no more, Confine him down to hell.

Hymn 2:157. The same.

1 Now Satan comes with dreadful roar, And threatens to destroy; He worries whom he can't devour With a malicious joy.

2 Ye sons of God, oppose his rage, Resist, and he'll be gone; Thus did our dearest Lord engage And vanquish him alone.

3 Now he appears almost divine Like innocence and love, But the old serpent lurks within When he assumes the dove.

4 Fly from the false deceiver's tongue, Ye Sons of Adam, fly; Our parents found the snare too strong, Nor should the children try.

Hymn 2:158. Few saved; or, The almost Christian, the hypocrite, and apostate.

1 Broad is the road that leads to death, And thousands walk together there; But wisdom shews a narrower path, With here and there a traveller.

2 "Deny thyself, and take thy cross," Is the Redeemer's great command; Nature must count her gold but dross If she would gain this heavenly land.

3 The fearful soul that tires and faints, And walks the ways of God no more, Is but esteem'd almost a saint, And makes his own destruction sure.

4 Lord, let not all my hopes be vain; Create my heart entirely new, Which hypocrites could ne'er attain, Which false apostates never knew.

Hymn 2:159. An unconverted state; or, Converting grace.

1 [Great King of Glory and of grace, We own with humble shame, How vile is our degenerate race, And our first father's name.]

2 From Adam flows our tainted blood, The poison reigns within, Makes us averse to all that's good, And willing slaves to sin.

3 [Daily we break thy holy laws, And then reject thy grace; Engag'd in the old serpent's cause Against our Maker's face.]

4 We live estrang'd afar from God, And love the distance well; With haste we run the dangerous road That leads to death and hell.

5 And can such rebels be restor'd? Such natures made divine? Let sinners see thy glory, Lord, And feel this power of thine.

6 We raise our Father's name on high, Who his own Spirit sends To bring rebellious strangers nigh, And turn his foes to friends.

Hymn 2:160. Custom in sin.

1 Let the wild leopards of the wood Put off the spots that nature gives, Then may the wicked turn to God, And change their tempers and their lives.

2 As well might Ethiopian slaves Wash out the darkness of their skin; The dead as well might leave their graves, As old transgressors cease to sin.

3 Where vice has held its empire long 'Twill not endure the least control; None but a power divinely strong Can turn the current of the soul.

4 Great God, I own thy power divine, That works to change this heart of mine; I would be form'd anew, and bless The wonders of creating grace.

Hymn 2:161. Christian virtues; or, The difficulty of conversion.

1 Strait is the way, the door is strait That leads to joys on high; 'Tis but a few that find the gate, While crowds mistake and die.

2 Beloved self must be deny'd, The mind and will renew'd: Passion suppress'd, and patience try'd, And vain desires subdu'd.

3 [Flesh is a dangerous foe to grace, Where it prevails and rules; Flesh must be humbled, pride abas'd, Lest they destroy our souls.

4 The love of gold be banish'd hence, (That vile idolatry); And every member, every sense In sweet subjection lie.]

5 The tongue, that most unruly power, Requires a strong restraint; We must be watchful every hour, And pray, but never faint.

6 Lord, can a feeble helpless worm Fulfil a task so hard? Thy grace must all my work perform, And give the free reward.

Hymn 2:162 Meditation of heaven; or, The joy of faith.

1 My thoughts surmount these lower skies And look within the veil; There springs of endless pleasure rise, The waters never fail.

2 There I behold with sweet delight The blessed Three in One; And strong affections fix my sight On God's incarnate Son.

3 His promise stands for ever firm, His grace shall ne'er depart; He binds my name upon his arm, And seals it on his heart.

4 Light are the pains that' nature brings, How short our sorrows are, When with eternal future things, The present we compare!

5 I would not be a stranger still To that celestial place, Where I for ever hope to dwell Near my Redeemer's face.

Hymn 2:163. Complaint of desertion and temptations.

1 Dear Lord, behold our sore distress; Our sins attempt to reign; Stretch out thine arm of conquering grace, And let thy foes be slain.

2 [The lion with his dreadful roar Affrights thy feeble sheep; Reveal the glory of thy power, And chain him to the deep.

3 Must we indulge a long despair, Shall our petitions die; Our mournings never reach thine ear, Nor tears affect thine eye?]

4 If thou despise a mortal groan, Yet hear a Saviour's blood; An Advocate so near the throne Pleads and prevails with God.

5 He bought the Spirit's powerful sword To slay our deadly foes; Our sins shall die beneath thy word, And hell in vain oppose.

6 How boundless is our Father's grace, In height and depth, and length! He makes his Son our righteousness, His Spirit is our strength.

Hymn 2:164. The end of the world.

1 Why should this earth delight us so? Why should we fix our eyes On these low grounds where sorrows grow, And every pleasure dies?

2 While time his sharpest teeth prepares Our comforts to devour, There is a land above the stars, And joys above his power.

3 Nature shall be dissolv'd and die, The sun must end his race, The earth and sea for ever fly Before my Saviour's face.

4 When will that glorious morning rise! When the last trumpet sound, And call the nations to the skies From underneath the ground?

Hymn 2:165. Unfruitfulness, ignorance, and unsanctified affections.

1 Long have I sat beneath the sound Of thy salvation, Lord But still how weak my faith is found, And knowledge of thy word!

2 Oft I frequent thy holy place And hear almost in vain; How small a portion of thy grace My memory can retain!

3 [My dear Almighty, and my God, How little art thou known By all the judgments of thy rod, And blessings of thy throne!]

4 [How cold and feeble is my love! How negligent my fear! How low my hope of joys above! How few affections there!]

5 Great God, thy sovereign power impart To give thy word success: Write the salvation in my heart, And make me learn the grace.

6 [Shew my forgetful feet the way That leads to joys on high; There knowledge grows without decay, And love shall never die.]

Hymn 2:166. The divine perfections.

1 How shall I praise th' eternal God, That infinite unknown? Who can ascend his high abode, Or venture near his throne?

2 [The great Invisible! he dwells Conceal'd in dazzling light; But his all-searching eye reveals The secrets of the night.

3 Those watchful eyes that never sleep Survey the world around; His wisdom is a boundless deep Where all our thoughts are drown'd.]

4 [Speak we of strength? His arm is strong To save or to destroy: Infinite years his life prolong, And endless is his joy.]

5 [He knows no shadow of a change, Nor alters his decrees; Firm as a rock his truth remains To guard his promises.]

6 [Sinners before his presence die; How holy is his Name! His anger and his jealousy Burn like devouring flame.]

7 Justice upon a dreadful throne Maintains the rights of God; While Mercy sends her pardons down, Bought with a Saviour's blood.

8 Now to my soul, immortal King, Speak some forgiving word; Then 't will be double joy to sing The glories of my Lord.

Hymn 2:167. The divine perfections.

1 Great God, thy glories shall employ My holy fear, my humble joy; My lips in songs of honour bring Their tribute to th' eternal King.

[2 Earth and the stars and worlds unknown, Depend precarious on his throne, All nature hangs upon his word, And grace and glory own their Lord.]

3 [His sovereign power what mortal knows? If he command who dares oppose? With strength he girds himself around, And treads the rebels to the ground.]

4 [Who shall pretend to teach him skill? Or guide the counsels of his will? His wisdom like a sea divine, Flows deep and high beyond our line.]

5 [His Name is holy, and his eye Burns with immortal jealousy; He hates the sons of pride, and sheds His fiery vengeance on their heads.]

6 [The beamings of his piercing sight Bring dark hypocrisy to light; Death and destruction naked lie, And hell uncover'd to his eye.]

7 [Th' eternal law before him stands; His justice with impartial hands Divides to all their due reward, Or by the sceptre or the sword.]

8 [His mercy like a boundless sea Washes our loads of guilt away, While his own Son came down and dy'd, T' engage his justice on our side.]

9 [Each of his words demands my faith, My soul can rest on all he saith; His truth inviolably keeps The largest promise of his lips.]

10 O tell me with a gentle voice, "Thou art my God," and I'll rejoice! Fill'd with thy love, I dare proclaim The brightest honours of thy Name.

Hymn 2:168. The same.

1 Jehovah reigns, his throne is high, His robes are light and majesty; His glory shines with beams so bright No mortal can sustain the sight.

2 His terrors keep the world in awe, His justice guards his holy law; His love reveals a smiling face, His truth and promise seal the grace.

3 Thro' all his works his wisdom shines, And baffles Satan's deep designs; His power is sovereign to fulfil The noblest counsels of his will.

4 And will this glorious Lord descend To be my father and my friend? Then let my songs with angels join; Heaven is secure if God be mine.

Hymn 2:169. As the 148th Psalm. The same.

1 The Lord Jehovah reigns His throne is built on high; The garments he assumes Are light and majesty; His glories shine With beams so bright No mortal eye Can bear the sight.

2 The thunders of his hand Keep the wide world in awe; His wrath and justice stand To guard his holy law; And where his love Resolves to bless, His truth confirms And seals the grace.

3 Thro' all his ancient works Surprising wisdom shines, Confounds the powers of hell, And breaks their curs'd designs: Strong is his arm, And shall fulfil His great decrees, His sovereign will.

4 And can this mighty King Of Glory condescend? And will he write his Name, "My Father and my Friend?" I love his Name, I love his word; Join all my powers, And praise the Lord.

Hymn 2:170. God incomprehensible and sovereign.

1 Can creatures to perfection find [1] Th' eternal uncreated mind? Or can the largest stretch of thought Measure and search his nature out?

2 'Tis high as heaven, 'tis deep as hell, And what can mortals know or tell? His glory spreads beyond the sky, And all the shining worlds on high.

3 But man, vain man, would fain be wise, Born like a wild young colt he flies Thro' all the follies of his mind, And swells and snuffs the empty wind.

4 God is a King of power unknown, Firm are the orders of his throne; If he resolve, who dares oppose, Or ask him why, or what he does?

5 He wounds the heart, and he makes whole; He calms the tempest of the soul; When he shuts up in long despair Who can remove the heavy bar?

6 He frowns, [2] and darkness veils the moon; The fainting sun grows dim at noon; The pillars [3] of heaven's starry roof Tremble and start at his reproof.

7 He gave the vaulted heaven its form, The crooked serpent and the worm; He breaks the billows with his breath, And smites the Sons of pride to death.

8 These are a portion of his ways, But who shall dare describe his face? Who can endure his light, or stand To hear the thunders of his hand?

[1] Job 11:7 &c. [2] Job 25:5. [3] Job 26:11 &c.

End of the Second Book.

Hymns.