7 'Tis strung, and tuned, for endless And form'd by power divine, To sound in God the Father's ears No other name but thine. years, XVI. THE SOWER.-MAT. xiii. 3. 1 YE sons of earth, prepare the plough, The sower is gone forth to sow, 2 The seed that finds a stony soil, Shoots forth a hasty blade; But ill repays the sower's toil, Soon wither'd, scorch'd, and dead. 3 The thorny ground is sure to balk 4 The beaten path and highway side 5 But where the Lord of grace and power Has bless'd the happy field, How plenteous is the golden store The deep-wrought furrows yield! 6 Father of mercies, we have need Let the same hand that gives the seed XVII. THE HOUSE OF PRAYER.-MARK Xi. 17. 1 THY mansion is the Christian's heart, O Lord, thy dwelling-place secure ! And leave the consecrated door. 2 Devoted as it is to thee, A thievish swarm frequents the place; And rob my Saviour of his praise. 3 There, too, a sharp designing trade Sin, Satan, and the World maintain ; To part with ease, and purchase pain. 4 I know them, and I hate their din, 5 Oh for the joy thy presence gives ! What peace shall reign when thou art here! Thy presence makes this den of thieves 6 And if thou make thy temple shine, The gold and silver are not mine, XVIII. LOVEST THOU ME?-JOHN xxi. 16. 1 HARK, my soul! it is the Lord : Say, poor sinner, lovest thou me ? 2 "I deliver'd thee when bound, And when bleeding, heal'd thy wound; 3 "Can a woman's tender care 4" Mine is an unchanging love, 5 "Thou shalt see my glory soon, 6 Lord, it is my chief complaint, Oh for grace to love thee more! XIX. CONTENTMENT.-PHIL. iv. 11. 1 FIERCE passions discompose the mind, But calm content and peace we find, 2 In vain by reason and by rule For none but in the Saviour's school 3 Since at his feet my soul has sate, 4"Art thou a sinner, soul?" he said, 66 Then how canst thou complain? How light thy troubles here, if weigh'd 5 "If thou of murmuring wouldst be cured, Compare thy griefs with mine; Think what my love for thee endured, 6 ""Tis I appoint thy daily lot, And I do all things well; Thou soon shalt leave this wretched spot, 7 "In life my grace shall strength supply, Proportion'd to thy day; At death thou still shalt find me nigh, To wipe thy tears away. " 8 Thus I, who once my wretched days Have learnt to be content. XX. OLD TESTAMENT GOSPEL.-HEB. iv. 2. 2 3 Not only had a view Of Sinai in a blaze, But learn'd the Gospel too; The types and figures were a glass The paschal sacrifice, And blood-besprinkled door,1 Seen with enlighten'd eyes, And once applied with power, Would teach the need of other blood, To reconcile an angry God. The Lamb, the Dove, set forth His perfect innocence, 2 Exodus xii. 13.- Leviticus xii. 6. |