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The Word more Precious than Gold.
1 PRECIOUS Bible! what a treasure
Does the word of God afford!
All I want for life or pleasure,
Food and med'cine, shield and sword:
Let the world account me poor,
Having this I need no more.
2 Food to which the world 's a stranger,
Here my hungry soul enjoys;
Of excess there is no danger,
Though it fills, it never cloys:
On a dying Christ I feed,
He is meat and drink indeed!
3 When my faith is faint and sickly,
Or when Satan wounds my mind,
Cordials to revive me quickly,
Healing med'cines here I find:
To the promises I flee,
Each affords a remedy.
4 In the hour of dark temptation,
Satan cannot make me yield;
For the word of consolation
Is to me a mighty shield:
While the scripture-truths are sure,
From his malice I'm secure.
5 Vain his threats to overcome me,
When I take the spirit's sword;
Then, with ease, I drive him from me,
Satan trembles at the word:
"Tis a sword for conquest made, Keen the edge, and strong the blade. 6 Shall I envy, then, the miser, Doating on his golden store? Sure I am, or should be wiser; I am rich, 'tis he is poor:
Jesus gives me in his word,
Food and med'cine, shield and sword.
On the Commencement of Hostilities in America.
I THE gath'ring clouds, with aspect dark, A rising storm presage;
Oh! to be hid within the ark,
And shelter'd from its rage.
2 See the commission'd angel frown!* That vial in his hand,
Fill'd with fierce wrath, is pouring down Upon our guilty land!
3 Ye saints, unite in wrestling prayer,
If yet there may be hope;
Who knows but mercy yet may spare,
And bid the angel stop?†
4 Already is the plague begun,t
And fired with hostile rage,
Brethren, by blood and interest one,
With brethren now engage.
5 Peace spreads her wings, prepar'd for flight, And war, with flaming sword,
And hasty strides, draws nigh to fight
The battles of the Lord.
6 The first alarm, alas! how few,
While distant, seem to hear!
But they will hear, and tremble too,
When God shall send it near.
7 So thunder o'er the distant hills
Gives but a murm'ring sound;
But as the tempest spreads, it fills,
And shakes the welking round.
8 May we at least, with one consent,
Fall low before the throne;
With tears the nation's sins lament,
The church's and our own.
9 The humble souls who mourn and pray,
The Lord approves and knows;
His mark secures them in the day
When vengeance strikes his foes.
Confession and Prayer. Dec. 13, 1776. 1 ОH! may the power which melts the rock, Be felt by all assembled here!
Or else our service will but mock The God whom we profess to fear! 2 Lord, while thy judgments shake the land, Thy people's eyes are fixed on thee! We own thy just uplifted hand, Which thousands cannot, will not see. 3 How long hast thou bestow'd thy care On this indulg'd ungrateful spot; While other nations, far and near, Have envied and admir'd our lot.. 4 Here peace and liberty have dwelt, The glorious gospel brightly shone; And oft our enemies have felt
That God has made our cause his own.
5 But, ah! both heaven and earth have heard
Our vile requital of his love!
We, whom like children he has rear'd,
Rebels against his goodness prove.||
*Rev. xvi. 1. † 1 Sam. xxiv. 16.
t
§ Firmament or atmosphere.
6 His grace despis'd, his power defied
And legions of the blackest crimes,
Profaneness, riot, lust, and pride,
Are signs that mark the present times.
7 The Lord, displeas'd, has rais'd his rod;
Ah, where are now the faithful few,
Who tremble for the ark of God,
And know what Israel ought to do?*
Lord, hear thy people ev'rywhere,
Who meet to mourn, confess, and pray;
The nation and thy churches spare,
And let thy wrath be turn'd away.
Moses and Amalek.† Feb. 27, 1778.
1 WHILE Joshua led the armed bands
Of Israel forth to war;
Moses apart, with lifted hands,
Engag'd in humble prayer.
2 The armed bands had quickly fail'd,
And perish'd in the fight,
If Moses' prayer had not prevail'd
To put the foes to flight.
3 When Moses' hands through weakness
The warriors fainted too;
Israel's success at once was stopp'd,
And Am'lek bolder grew.
4 A people, always prone to boast,
Were taught by this suspense,
That not a num'rous armed host,
But God, was their defence.
5 We now of fleets and armies vaunt,
And ships and men prepare;
But men like Moses most we want
To save the state by prayer.
6 Yet, Lord, we hope thou hast prepar'd
A hidden few to-day
(The nation's secret strength and guard) To weep, and mourn, and pray. 70 hear their prayers, and grant us aid! Bid war and discord cease; Heal the sad breach which sin has made, And bless us all with peace.
The Hiding-place. Feb. 10, 1779. 1 SEE the gloomy gath'ring cloud Hanging o'er a sinful land! Sure the Lord proclaims aloud Times of trouble are at hand. Happy they who love his name; They shall always find him near; Though the earth were wrapt in flame, They have no just cause for fear. 2 Hark, his voice in accents mild, (O how comforting and sweet!) Speaks to every humble child, Pointing out a sure retreat!
Come, and in my chambers hide,* To my saints of old well known; There you safely may abide, Till the storm be overblown. 3 "You have only to repose
On my wisdom, love, and care; When my wrath consumes my foes, Mercy shall my children spare: While they perish in the flood, You that bear my holy mark,t Sprinkled with atoning blood, Shall be safe within the ark." 4 Sinners, see the ark prepar'd! Haste to enter while there 's room; Though the Lord his arm has bar'd Mercy still retards your doom: Seek him while there yet is hope, Ere the day of grace be past, Lest in wrath he give you up, And this call should prove your last.
On the Earthquake. Sept. 8, 1775. 1 ALTHOUGH on massy pillars built, The earth has lately shook;
It trembles under Britain's guilt,
Before its Maker's look.
Swift as the shock amazement spreads,
And sinners tremble too;
What flight can screen their guilty heads, If earth itself pursue?
3 But mercy spar'd us while it warn'd,
The shock is felt no more;
And mercy now, alas! is scorn'd
By sinners, as before.
4 But if these warnings prove in vain,
Say, sinner, canst thou tell,
How soon the earth may quake again,
And open wide to hell?
5 Repent before the Judge draws nigh,
Or else when he comes down,
Thou wilt in vain for earthquakes cry
To hide thee from his frown.‡
6 But happy they who love the Lord,
And his salvation know;
The hope that 's founded on his word,.
No change can overthrow.
7 Should the deep-rooted hills be hurl'd,
And plung'd beneath the seas,
And strong convulsions shake the world,
Your hearts may rest in peace.
8 Jesus, your Shepherd, Lord, and Chief,
Shall shelter you from ill;
And not a worm or shaking leaf
Can move,
but at his will.
On the Fire at Olney. Sept. 22, 1777. 1 WEARIED by day with toils and cares, How welcome is the peaceful night!
↑ Ezek. ix. 4. ↑ Rev, vi 16
Sweet sleep our wasted strength repairs,
And fits us for returning light.
2 Yet when our eyes in sleep are clos'd,
Our rest may break ere well begun;
To dangers ev'ry hour expos'd,
We neither can foresee nor shun.
3 'Tis of the Lord that we can sleep
A single night without alarms;
His eye alone our lives can keep
Secure amidst a thousand harms.
4 For months and years of safety past,
Ungrateful we, alas! have been;
Though patient long, he spoke at last,
And bid the fire rebuke our sin.
5 The shout of-Fire! a dreadful cry,
Impress'd each heart with deep dismay,
While the fierce blaze and redd'ning sky
Made midnight wear the face of day.
6 The throng and terror who can speak?
The various sounds that fill'd the air-
The infant's wail, the mother's shriek,
The voice of blasphemy and prayer.
7 But prayer prevail'd and sav'd the town:
The few who lov'd the Saviour's name
Were heard, and mercy hasted down
To change the wind and stop the flame.
8 O may that night be ne'er forgot!
Lord, still increase thy praying few!
Were Olney left without a Lot,
Ruin like Sodom's would ensue.
A Welcome to Christian Friends.
1 KINDRED in Christ, for his dear sake,
A hearty welcome here receive;
May we together now partake
The joys which only he can give!
2 To you and us by grace 'tis given
To know the Saviour's precious name,
And shortly we shall meet in heaven,
Our hope, our way, our end the same.
3 May he, by whose kind care we meet,
Send his good Spirit from above,
Make our communications sweet,
And cause our hearts to burn with love!
4 Forgotten be each worldly theme,
When christians see each other thus;
We only wish to speak of him
Who liv'd and died, and reigns for us.
5 We'll talk of all he did and said,
And suffer'd for us here below;
The path he mark'd for us to tread,
And what he's doing for us now.
6 Thus, as the moments pass away,
We'll love, and wonder, and adore,
And hasten on the glorious day,
When we shall meet to part no more.
1 As the sun's enliv'ning eye
Shines on ev'ry place the same;
So the Lord is always nigh
To the souls that love his name.
2 When they move at duty's call,
He is with them by the way:
He is ever with them all,
Those who go and those who stay.
3 From his holy mercy-seat
Nothing can their souls confine;
Still in spirit they may meet,
And in sweet communion join.
4 For a season call'd to part,
Let us then ourselves commend
To the gracious eye and heart
Of our ever-present Friend.
5 Jesus, hear our humble prayer!
Tender Shepherd of thy sheep!
Let thy mercy and thy care
All our souls in safety keep.
6 In thy strength may we be strong,
Sweeten ev'ry cross and pain;
Give us, if we live, ere long
Here to meet in peace again.
7 Then, if thou thy help afford,
Ebenezers shall be rear'd,
And our souls shall praise the Lord,
Who our poor petitions heard.
HYMN LXXII.
On the Death of a Believer.
1 In vain my fancy strives to paint
The moment after death,
The glories that surround the saints
When yielding up their breath.
2 One gentle sigh their fetters breaks;
We scarce can say, "They 're gone!"
Before the willing spirit takes
Her mansion near the throne.
3 Faith strives, but all its efforts fail,
To trace her in her flight;
No eyes can pierce within the vail,
Which hides that world of light.
4 Thus much (and this is all) we know,
They are completely blest,
Have done with sin, and care, and woe,
And with their Saviour rest.
5 On harps of gold they praise his name,
His face they always view;
Then let us follow'rs be of them
That we may praise him too.
6 Their faith and patience, love and zeal,
Should make their mem'ry dear;
And, Lord, do thou the prayers fulfil
They offer'd for us here!
7 While they have gain'd, we losers are,
We miss them day by day;
But thou canst ev'ry breach repair,
And wipe our tears away.
8 We pray, as in Elisha's case,
When great Elijah went,
May double portions of thy grace,
To us who stay be sent.
On the Death of a Minister.
I His master taken from his head,
Elisha saw him go,
And, in desponding accents said,
"Ah! what must Israel do?"
2 But he forgot the Lord who lifts
The beggar to the throne,
Nor knew that all Elijah's gifts
Would soon be made his own.
3 What! when a Paul has run his course, Or when Apollos dies,
Is Israel left without resource?
And have we no supplies?
4 Yes! while the dear Redeemer lives,
We have a boundless store,
And shall be fed with what he gives,
Who lives for evermore.
HYMN LXXIV.
The Tolling Bell.
1 OFT as the bell, with solemn toll, Speaks the departure of a soul, Let each one ask himself "Am I Prepar'd, should I be call'd to die?” 2 Only this frail and fleeting breath Preserves me from the jaws of death: Soon as it fails, at once I'm gone, And plung'd into a world unknown. 3 Then leaving all I lov'd below,
To God's tribunal I must go;
Must hear the Judge pronounce my fate,
And fix my everlasting state.
4 But could I bear to hear him say,
"Depart, accursed, far away!
With Satan in the lowest hell,
Thou art for ever doom'd to dwell."
5 Lord Jesus! help me now to flee,
And seek my hope alone in thee;
Apply thy blood, thy Spirit give,
Subdue my sin, and let me live.
6 Then, when the solemn bell I hear,
If sav'd from guilt, I need not fear;
Nor would the thought distressing be,
Perhaps it next may toll for me.
7 Rather my spirit would rejoice,
And long, and wish to hear thy voice,
Glad when it bids me earth resign,
Secure of heaven, if thou art mine.
HYMN LXXV.
Hope beyond the Grave.
1 My soul, this curious house of clay, Thy present frail abode,
Must quickly fall to worms a prey,
And thou return to God.
2 Canst thou, by faith, survey with joy The change before it come?
And say, "Let death this house destroy
I have a heavenly home!
3 "The Saviour whom I then shall see
With new-admiring eyes,
Already has prepar'd for me
A mansion in the skies."*
4 I feel this mud-wall'd cottage shake,
And long to see it fall;
That I my willing flight may take
To him who is my all.
5 Burden'd and groaning then no more,
My rescu'd soul shall sing,
As up the shining path I soar,
"Death thou hast lost thy sting."
6 Dear Saviour help us now to seek
And know thy grace's power,
That we may all this language speak,
Before the dying hour.
There the Weary are at Rest.
1 COURAGE, my soul! behold the prize
The Saviour's love provides
Eternal life beyond the skies
For all whom here he guides.
2 The wicked cease from troubling there, The weary are at rest;†
Sorrow, and sin, and pain, and care,
No more approach the blest.
3 A wicked world, and wicked heart,
With Satan now are join'd;
Each acts a too successful part
In harassing my mind.
4 In conflict with this threefold troop,
How weary, Lord, am I!
Did not thy promise bear me up,
My soul must faint and die.
5 But fighting in my Saviour's strength, Though mighty are my foes,
I shall a conq'ror be at length
O'er all that can oppose.
6 Then why, my soul, complain or fear? The crown of glory see!
The more I toil and suffer here,
The sweeter rest will be.
Louder than a thousand thunders, Shakes the vast creation round! [confound! How the summons will the sinner's heart 2 See the Judge our nature wearing, Cloth'd in majesty divine!
You who long for his appearing,
Then shall say, This God is mine! [thine!
Gracious Saviour, own me in that day for
3 At his call the dead awaken,
Rise to life from earth and sea:
All the powers of nature shaken,
By his looks prepare to flee;
Careless sinner! what will then become of 4 Horrors past imagination
Will surprise your trembling heart, When you hear your condemnation, "Hence, accursed wretch, depart! [part!" Thou with Satan and his angels have thy 5 Satan, who now tries to please you, Lest you timely warning take,
When that word is past, will seize you,
Plunge you in the burning lake:
Think, poor sinner, thy eternal all 's at stake. 6 But to those who have confessed,
Lov'd and serv'd the Lord below,
He will say, “Come near, ye blessed,
See the kingdom I bestow:
You for ever shall my love and glory know." 7 Under sorrows and reproaches,
May this thought your courage raise! Swiftly God's great day approaches, Sighs shall then be chang'd to praise: We shall triumph when the world's in a blaze.
HYMN LXXVIII.
The Day of the Lord.*
1 God, with one piercing glance looks thro'
Creation's wide extended frame;
The past and future in his view,
And days and ages are the same.†
2 Sinners who dare provoke his face,
Who on his patience long presume,
And trifle out his day of grace,
Will find he has a day of doom.
3 As pangs the lab'ring woman feels,
Or as the thief, in midnight sleep;
So comes that day, for which the wheels
Of time their ceaseless motion keep!
4 Hark! from the sky the trump proclaims
Jesus the Judge approaching nigh!
See, the creation wrapt in flames,
First kindled by his vengeful eye!
5 When thus the mountains melt like wax;
When earth, and air, and sea, shall burn;
When all the frame of nature breaks,
Poor sinner, whither wilt thou turn?
6 The puny works which feeble men
Now boast, or covet, or admire ;
Their pomp and arts, and treasures, then
Shall perish in one common fire.
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7 Lord, fix our hearts and hopes above!
Since all below to ruin tends;
Here may we trust, obey, and love,
And there be found amongst thy friends.
HYMN LXXIX.
The great Tribunal.*
1 JOHN, in vision, saw the day
When the Judge will hasten down;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
From the terror of his frown;
Dead and living, small and great,
Raised from the earth and sea,
At his bar shall hear their fate-
What will then become of me?
Can I bear his awful looks?
Shall I stand in judgment then,
When I see the open'd books,
Written by the Almighty's pen?
If he to remembrance bring,
And expose to public view,
Ev'ry work and secret thing,
Ah! my soul, what canst thou do?
3 When the list shall be produc'd
Of the talents I enjoyed;
Means and mercies, how abus'd!
Time and strength, how misemployed.
Conscience then, compell'd to read,
Must allow the charge is true;
Say, my soul, what canst thou plead?
In that hour, what wilt thou do?
4 But the book of life I see,
May my name be written there!
Then from gilt and danger free,
Glad I'll meet him in the air:
That's the book I hope to plead,
'Tis the gospel open'd wide;
Lord, I am a wretch indeed!
I have sinn'd, but thou hast died.f
5 Now my soul knows what to do;
Thus I shall with boldness stand,
Number'd with the faithful few,
Own'd and sav'd at thy right-hand:
If thou help a feeble worm
To believe thy promise now,
Justice will at last confirm
What thy mercy wrought below.
HYMN LXXX.
The Old and New Creation.
1 THAT was a wonder-working word
Which could the vast creation raise?
Angels, attendant on their Lord,‡
Admir'd the plan, and sung his praise.
2 From what a dark and shapeless mass,
All nature sprung at his command!
Let there be light, and light there was,
And sun, and stars, and sea, and land.
*Rev. xx. 11, 12. Rom. viii. 34. Job xxxviii. 7
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