4 No barn nor store-house they possess Yet have no cause to fear distress, 5 Then let not doubts your mind assail, Remember God has said, "The cruse and barrel shall not fail, 6 And thus, though faint it often seems, 7 Though in ourselves we have no stock, His door flies open when we knock, II. KINGS. XXXVII. Jericho, or, the Waters healed. 1 THOUGH Jericho pleasantly stood, Which poisonous prov'd to the ground; 2 But soon by the cruse and the salt, And plenty enriched the land : An emblem sure this of the grace On fruitless dead sinners bestow'd; Till cur'd by the mercy of God. 3 How noble a creature he seems; What knowledge, invention, and skill! His zeal to be learned and wise 4 Yet still he is barren of good; In vain are his talents and art; And poison'd the streams of his heart: Or, spider-like, cobwebs can weave*, 'Tis madness to labour and watch For what will destroy or deceive. 5 But grace, like the salt in the cruse, The heart which was vile and abhorr'd, * Isa. lix. 5. XXXVIII. Naaman. Chap. v. 14. 1 BEFORE Elisha's gate The Syrian leper stood; He deem'd himself too good: He thought the prophet would attend, And not to him a message send. 2 Have I this journey come, And will he not be seen? I were as well at home, Would washing make me clean; Why must I wash in Jordan's flood? Damascus' rivers are as good. 3 Thus, by his foolish pride, He almost miss'd a cure; Howe'er at length he try'd, And found the method sure: Soon as his pride was brought to yield, The leprosy was quickly heal'd. 4 Leprous and proud as he, To Jesus thus I came, From sin to set me free, When first I heard his fame : Surely, thought I, my pompous train Of vows and tears will notice gain. 5 My heart devis'd the way Which I suppos'd he'd take; Was ready to go back, Had he some painful task enjoin d, 6 When by his word he spake, "That fountain open'd see; "'Twas open'd for thy sake, "Go wash, and thou art free:" Oh! how did my proud heart gainsay, I fear'd to trust this simple way! 7 At length I trial made, When I had much endur'd; I wash'd, and I was cured: XXXIX. The Borrowed Axe. Chap. vi. 5, 6. 1 THE prophet's sons, in times of old, 2 In peace their daily bread they eat, They grace and wisdom learn'd. 3 The prophet's presence cheer'd their toil, 4 Once, as they listen'd to his theme, 5 "Alas! it was not mine," he said, "How shall I make it good?" Elisha heard, and when he pray'd, The iron swam like wood. 6 If God, in such a small affair, It shows his condescending care 7 Though kings and nations in his view 8 Not one concern of ours is small, To teach us this, the Lord of all XL. More with us than with them. Chap. vi. 16. 1 ALAS! Elisha's servant cry'd, 2 Straightway he saw, with other eyes, 3 When Satan and his host appear, |