grace and power But where the Lord of Has bless'd the happy field, How plenteous is the golden store Father of mercies, we have need Of thy preparing grace; Let the same hand that gives the seed XVII. THE HOUSE OF PRAYER. Mark xi. 17. THY mansion is the Christian's heart Bid the unruly throng depart, And leave the consecrated door. Devoted as it is to thee, A thievish swarm frequents the place; There, too, a sharp designing trade Sin, Satan, and the world maintain ; I know them, and I hate their din, I cannot serve thee as I would. Oh! for the joy thy presence gives What peace shall reign when thou art here! Thy presence makes this den of thieves A calm delightful house of prayer. And if thou make thy temple shine, XVIII. LOVEST THOU ME? John xxi. 16. HARK, my soul! it is the Lord: “I deliver'd thee when bound, And when bleeding, heal'd thy wound; "Can a woman's tender care Yes, she may forgetful be, "Mine is an unchanging love, "Thou shalt see my glory soon, Lord, it is my chief complaint, Oh! for grace to love thee more! XIX. CONTENTMENT. Phil. iv. 11. FIERCE passions discompose the mind, In vain by reason and by rule For none but in the Saviour's school Since at his feet my soul has sat, "Art thou a sinner, soul?" he said, "If thou of murmuring wouldst be cured, ""Tis I appoint thy daily lot, And I do all things well; Thou soon shalt leave this wretched spot, And rise with me to dwell. "In life my grace shall strength supply, At death thou still shalt find me nigh, Thus I, who once my wretched days Taught in my Saviour's school of grace, Have learnt to be content. XX. OLD TESTAMENT GOSPEL. ISRAEL, in ancient days, Heb. iv. 2 Not only had a view Of Sinai in a blaze, But learn'd the Gospel too; The types and figures were a glass, The paschal sacrifice, And blood-besprinkled door,1 1 Exod. xii. 13. Seen with enlighten'd eyes, And once applied with power, The Lamb, the Dove, set forth Whose blood of matchless worth Should be the soul's defence; For he who can for sin atone, The scape-goat on his head2 Was to be seen no more: Dipt in his fellow's blood, The living bird went free;* Described a guilty soul enlarged, Jesus, I love to trace, Throughout the sacred page, The same in every age! O grant that I may faithful be To clearer light vouchsafed to me! 1 Lev. xii. 6. 2 Lev. xvi. 21. 8 Lev. xiv. 51-53. |