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 heav'n and earth have heard Our vile requital of his love!

We, whom like children he has rear'd,
Rebels against his goodness prove*.

6 His grace despis'd, his pow'r defy'd,
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 dof?

8 Lord, hear thy people ev'ry where,

Who meet to mourn, confess, and pray;
The nation and thy churches spare,
And let thy wrath be turn'd away.

LXVI. Moses and Amalekt. Feb. 27, 1778.

1 WHILE Joshua led the armed bands
Of Israel forth to war;

Moses apart, with lifted hands,
Engag'd in humble pray'r.

2 The armed bands had quickly fail'd,
And perish'd in the fight,

If Moses' pray'r had not prevail'
To put the foes to flight.

* Isa. i. 2.

1 Chron. xii. 32.

Exod. xvii. 9.

3 When Moses' hands through weakness

The warriors fainted too; [dropp'd,
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 pray'r.

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.

7 O hear their pray'rs, and grant us aid,
Bid war and discord cease;

Heal the sad breach which sin has made,
And bless us all with peace.

LXVII. 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 wrapp'd in flame,
They have no just cause for fear.

2 Hark, his voice in accents mild,

(Oh, 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†,
"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.

LXVIII. 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.

2 Swift as the shock amazement spreads, And sinners tremble too;

What flight can screen their guilty heads,
If earth itself pursue?

5 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.

Rev. vi. 16.

LXIX. On the Fire at Olney. Sept. 22, 1777.

1 WEARIED by day with toil and cares,

How welcome is the peaceful night! 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; eye alone our lives can keep

His

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 pray'r!

7 But pray'r 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.