And couldst thou be delighted With creatures such as we, Who, when we saw thee, slighted, And mystery divine! The voice that speaks in thunder, VII. VANITY OF THE WORLD. GOD gives his mercies to be spent ; Repaid by giving others food. The world's esteem is but a bribe, To buy their peace you sell your own; The slave of a vainglorious tribe, Who hate you while they make you known. The joy that vain amusements give, God knows the thousands who go down O fearful thought! be timely wise; Delight but in a Saviour's charms, And God shall take you to the skies, Embraced in everlasting arms. VIII. O LORD, I WILL PRAISE THEE. every day I WILL praise thee Here, in the fair gospel-field, Jesus is become at length Praise ye, then, his glorious name, Still his worth your praise exceeds; Raise again the joyful sound, God the Saviour dwells in thee! Isaiah, xii. 1. IX. THE CONTRITE HEART. Isaiah, lvii. 15. THE Lord will happiness divine On contrite hearts bestow; I hear, but seem to hear in vain, If ought is felt, 'tis only pain, I sometimes think myself inclined My best desires are faint and few, Thy saints are comforted, I know, O make this heart rejoice or ache; And if it be not broken, break,- X. THE FUTURE PEACE AND GLORY OF THE CHURCH. Isaiah, ix. 15-20. HEAR what God the Lord hath spoken, "O my people, faint and few, "There, like streams that feed the garden, Pleasures without end shall flow; For the Lord, your faith rewarding, "Ye no more your suns descending, God shall rise, and shining o'er ye, XI. JEHOVAH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. My God, how perfect are thy ways! But mine polluted are; Sin twines itself about my praise, And slides into my prayer. Jer. xxiii. 6. When I would speak what thou hast done I cannot make thy mercies known, Divine desire, that holy flame This heart, a fountain of vile thoughts, How does it overflow, While self upon the surface floats, Let others in the gaudy dress The Lord shall be my righteousness, The Lord for ever mine. XII. EPHRAIM REPENTING. Jer. xxxi. 18-20. My God, till I received thy stroke, How like a beast was I! So unaccustom'd to the yoke, So backward to comply. |