LXI. Power of Prayer. 1 IN themselves, as weak as worms, How can poor believers stand, When temptations, foes, and storms, Press them close on ev'ry hand? 2 Weak, indeed, they feel they are, 3 Though the Lord a while delay, 4 Wrestling pray'r can wonders do, 5 Hezekiah on his knees Proud Assyria's host subdu'd; Peter, though confin'd and chain'd, When Elijah pray'd, it rain'd, After three long years of drought. 7 We can likewise witness bear, 8 For the wonders he has wrought, ON THE SCRIPTURE. LXII. C. The Light and Glory of the Word. 1 THE Spirit breathes upon the word, Precepts and promises afford 2 A glory gilds the sacred page, It gives a light to ev'ry age, 3 The hand that gave it still supplies 4 Let everlasting thanks be thine, As makes a world of darkness shine 5 My soul rejoices to pursue The steps of him I love; Till glory breaks upon my view LXIII. 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 & MEDICINE, SHIELD & Sword? 2 FOOD to which the world's a stranger, On a dying Christ I feed, He is meat and drink indeed! 3 When my faith is faint and sickly, 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: 5 Vain his threats to overcome me, 'Tis a SWORD for conquest made, 6 Shall I envy then the miser, Doating on his golden store? I am rich, 'tis he is poor: FOOD and MED'CINE, SHIELD and SWORD. III. PROVIDENCES. LXIV. On the Commencement of Hostilities in America. 1 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 pray'r, Who knows but mercy yet may spare, 4 Already is the plague begun ‡, Brethren, by blood, and int'rest one, 5 Peace spreads her wings, prepar'd for flight, And war, with flaming sword, And hasty strides, draws nigh, to fight * Rev. xvi. 1. † 2 Sam. xxiv. 16. Num. xvi. 46. VOL. III: 3 Y 6 The first alarm, alas! how few, 7 So thunder o'er the distant hills 8 May we, at least, with one consent, 9 The humble souls who mourn and pray, His mark secures them in the day FAST-DAY HYMNS. LXV. Confession and Prayer. Dec. 13, 1776. 1 OH! may the pow'r which melts the rock Он! Be felt by all assembled here! Or else our service will but mock 2 Lord, while thy judgments shake the land, Which thousands cannot, will not see. 3 How long hast thou bestow'd thy care Firmament, or Atmosphere. |