192. C. M. WATTS.

Excellence of scripture.

I THE starry heav'ns thy rule obey,
The earth maintains her place;
And these thy servants, night and day,
Thy skill and pow'r express.

2 But still thy law and gospel, LORD!
Have lessons more divine;
Not earth stands firmer than thy word,
Nor stars so nobly shine.

3 Let all the heathen writers join
To form one perfect book:

Great GOD! if once compar'd with thine,
How mean their writings look!

4 Not the most perfect rules they gave,
Could show one sin forgiv❜n,
Nor lead a step beyond the grave;
But thine conduct to heav'n.

5 Thy word is everlasting truth;
How pure is ev'ry page!

That holy book shall guide our youth,
And well support our age.

193. C. M. MRS STEELE.
The excellency of the holy scriptures.
1 FATHER of mercies! in thy word
What endless glory shines!
Forever be thy name ador'd,
For these celestial lines!

2 Here, may the wretched sons of want
Exhaustless riches find;

Riches, above what earth can grant,
And lasting as the mind.

3 Here, the fair tree of knowledge grows,
And yields a free repast:
Sublimer sweets than nature knows,
Invite the longing taste.

4 Here, springs of consolation rise,
To cheer the fainting mind;
And thirsty souls receive supplies,
And sweet refreshment find.

5 "Tis here the Saviour's welcome voice Spreads heav'nly peace around; And life and everlasting joys

Attend the blissful sound.

6 O may these heav'nly pages be
My ever dear delight;

And still new beauties may
And still increasing light!

194. C. M.

I

see,

DODDRIDGE.

Perfection of God's law.

1 PERFECTION! 'tis an empty name,
Nor can repay our cares;
And he that seeks it here below,
Must end the search with tears.

2 Great David on his royal throne,
The beauteous and the strong,

Rich in the spoils of conquer'd foes,
Amidst th' applauding throng,
3 With all his mind's capacious pow'rs,
Pursu'd the shade in vain;
Not heard in his melodious voice,
Or harp's angelic strain.

4 From public to domestic scenes
Th' impatient monarch turns-
The friend, the husband, and the sire,
In sad succession mourns.

5 At length, thy law, eternal GOD!

He through his tears descries,
And, wrapt amidst those sacred folds,
He finds the heav'nly prize.

6 There will I seek perfection too,
Where David's GOD is known;
Nor
envy, with this volume blest,
His treasures and his throne.

195. C. M. WATTS.

The consolation of scripture.

1 LORD! I have made thy word my choice, My lasting heritage;

There shall my noblest pow'rs rejoice,
My warmest thoughts engage.
2 I'll read the hist'ries of thy love,
And keep thy laws in sight,
While through the promises I rove,
With ever fresh delight.

3 "Tis a broad land of wealth unknown, Where springs of life arise,

Seeds of immortal bliss are sown,
And hidden glory lies.

4 The best relief that mourners have,
It makes our sorrows blest;
Our fairest hope beyond the grave,
And our eternal rest.

The same subject.

1 THE volume of my Father's grace,
Does all my grief assuage:
His cheering promises I trace
Almost in ev'ry page.

2 This is the field where hidden lies
The pearl of price unknown:
The merchant is divinely wise,
Who makes that pearl his own.
3 This is the judge that ends the strife,
Where wit and reason fail;
My guide to everlasting life
Through all this gloomy vale.

4 Oh! may thy counsels, mighty God!
My roving feet command;
Nor I forsake the happy road,
That leads to thy right hand.

197. C. M. WATTS.

Instruction to the young from scripture. 1 HOW shall the young secure their hearts, And guard their lives from sin? Thy word the choicest rules imparts, To keep the conscience clean. 2 When once it enters to the mind, It spreads such light abroad, The meanest souls instruction find, And raise their thoughts to God. 3 'Tis like the sun, a heav'nly light, That guides us all the day; And through the dangers of the night, A lamp to lead our way.

The perfect law of liberty.

1 BEHOLD that wise, that perfect law, Which noblest freedom gives:

0

may

it all our souls refine,

And sanctify our lives!

2 Not with a transient glance survey'd,
And in an hour forgot,

But deep inscrib'd on ev'ry heart,
To reign o'er ev'ry thought.

3 Great Author of each perfect gift!
Thy gracious pow'r display,

That our ungrateful, wand'ring hearts May hearken and obey.