None proves less grateful to his care, LIV. LOVE CONSTRAINING TO OBEDI- No strength of nature can suffice And what she has she misapplies, For want of clearer light. How long beneath the law I lay But toil'd without success. Then, to abstain from outward sin I feel I hate it too. Then, all my servile works were done A righteousness to raise ; Now, freely chosen in the Son, I freely choose his ways. "What shall I do," was then the word, "That I may worthier grow?" Is my inquiry now. To see the law by Christ fulfill'd, And hear his pardoning voice, *Romans iii. 31. LV. THE HEART HEALED AND SIN enslaved me many years, And make the Lord my friend?" Friends and ministers said much Much I fasted, watch'd, and strove, Thus afraid to trust his grace, Long time did I rebel; Till, desparing of my case, Down at his feet I fell: And subdued me to his sway; By a simple word he spoke, LVI. HATRED OF SIN. HOLY Lord God! I love thy truth, Nor dare thy least commandment slight; Yet pierced by sin, the serpent's tooth, I mourn the anguish of the bite. But, though the poison lurks within, Had I a throne above the rest, Where angels and archangels dwell, One sin, unslain, within my breast, Would make that heaven as dark as hell. The prisoner, sent to breathe fresh air, Would mourn, were he condemn'd to wear But, oh! no foe invades the bliss, When glory crowns the Christian's head; One view of Jesus as he is Will strike all sin for ever dead. LVII. THE NEW CONVERT. THE new-born child of gospel grace, Like some fair tree when summer's nigh, Beneath Emmanuel's shining face Lifts up his blooming branch on high. No fears he feels, he sees no foes, Nor has he learnt to whom he owes But sin soon darts its cruel sting, And comforts sinking day by day: What seem'd his own, a self-fed spring, Proves but a brook that glides away. When Gideon arm'd his numerous host, 'My arm procured me this success.' Thus will he bring our spirits down, LVIII. TRUE AND FALSE COMFORTS. O GOD, whose favorable eye Not such as hypocrites suppose, Intoxicating joys are theirs, Who, while they boast their light, Lull'd in a soft and fatal sleep, Were they indeed the Saviour's sheep, Be mine the comforts that reclaim * Judges vii. 2. 'Tis joy enough, my All in All, LIX. A LIVING AND A DEAD FAITH. THE Lord receives his highest praise While all the loud professor says Offends the righteous Judge's ear. To walk as children of the day, Not words alone it cost the Lord, With golden bells, the priestly vest, And rich pomegranates border'd round,* The need of holiness express'd, And call'd for fruit, as well as sound. Easy, indeed, it were to reach A mansion in the courts above, But none shall gain the blissful place, *Exod. xxviii. 33. |