6 But grace, unask'd, his heart subdued,
And all his guilt forgave;
By faith the promised seed he view'd,
And felt his power to save.
7 Thus we ourselves would justify,
Though we the law transgress;
Like him, unable to deny,
Unwilling to confess.
8 But when by faith the sinner sees
A pardon bought with blood;
Then he forsakes his foolish pleas,
And gladly turns to God.
Cain and Abel.-Gen. iv. 3-8.
1 WHEN Adam fell he quickly lost
God's image, which he once possess'd.
See all our nature since could boast,
In Cain, his first-born son, express'd!
2 The sacrifice the Lord ordain'd
In type of the Redeemer's blood,
Self-righteous reasoning Cain disdain'd,
And thought his own first-fruits as goo
3 Yet rage and envy fill'd his mind,
When, with a sullen downcast look,
He saw his brother favour find,
Who God's appointed method took.
4 By Cain's own hand good Abel died,
Because the Lord approved his faith;
And, when his blood for vengeance cried,
He vainly thought to hide his death.
5 Such was the wicked murderer Cain,
And such by nature still are we,
Until by grace we're born again,
Malicious, blind, and proud as he
6 Like him the way of grace we slight,
And in our own devices trust;
Call evil good, and darkness light, And hate and persecute the just. 7 The saints, in every age and place, Have found his history fulfill'd: The numbers all our thoughts surpass, Of Abels, whom the Cains have kill'd. 8 Thus Jesus fell-but, oh! his blood Far better things than Abel's cries: Obtains his murderers' peace with God, And gains them mansions in the skies.
1 OH! for a closer walk with God,
A calm and heavenly frame;
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb!
2 Where is the blessedness I knew,
When first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soul-refreshing view
Of Jesus, and his word
3 What peaceful hours I once enjoy'd!
How sweet their memory still!
But they have left an aching void,
The world can never fill.
4 Return, O holy Dove! return,
Sweet messenger of rest;
I hate the sins that made Thee mourn,
And drove Thee from my breast.
5 The dearest idol I have known,
Whate'er that idol be,
Help me to tear it from thy throne,
And worship only Thee.
6 So shall my walk be close with God,
Calm and serene my frame;
So purer light shall mark the road
That leads me to the Lamb.
1 By faith in Christ I walk with God,
With heaven, my journey's end, in view;
Supported by his staff and rod,
My road is safe and pleasant too.
2 I travel through a desert wide,
Where many round me blindly stray;
But He vouchsafes to be my guide,
And will not let me miss my way.
3 Though snares and dangers throng my path,
And earth and hell my course withstand,
I triumph over all by faith,
Guarded by his almighty hand.
4 The wilderness affords no food,
But God for my support prepares;
Provides me every needful good,
And frees my soul from wants and cares.
5 With Him sweet converse I maintain,
Great as He is, I dare be free;
I tell Him all my grief and pain,
And He reveals his love to me.
6 Some cordial from his word He brings,
Whene'er my feeble spirit faints;
At once my soul revives and sings,
And yields no more to sad complaints.
7 I pity all that worldings talk
Of pleasures that will quickly end:
Be this my choice, O Lord, to walk
With Thee my Guide, my Guard, my Friend.
Lot in Sodom.-Gen. xiii. 10.
How hurtful was the choice of Lot,
Who took up his abode
(Because it was a fruitful spot)
With them who fear'd not God!
2 A prisoner he was quickly made,
Bereaved of all his store;
And, but for Abraham's timely aid,
He had return'd no more.
3 Yet still he seem'd resolved to stay,
As if it were his rest;
Although their sins from day to day
His righteous soul distress'd.
4 Awhile he stayed with anxious mind,
Exposed to scorn and strife;
At last he left his all behind,
And fled to save his life.
5 In vain his sons-in-law he warn'd,
They thought he told his dreams;
His daughters, too, of them had learn'd,
And perish'd in the flames.
6 His wife escaped a little way,
But died for looking back:
Does not her case to pilgrims say,
"Beware of growing slack?"
7 Yea, Lot himself could ling'ring stand,
Though vengeance was in view,
'Twas mercy pluck'd him by the hand
Or he had perish'd too.
8 The doom of Sodom will be ours,
If to the earth we cleave:
Lord, quicken all our drowsy powers,
To flee to Thee and live.
The Lord will provide. C.-
Gen. xxii. 14.
1 THE saints should never be dismay'd,
Nor sink in hopeless fear;
For, when they least expect his aid,
The Saviour will appear.
2 This Abraham found; he raised the knife, God saw, and said, "Forbear!
Yon ram shall yield his meaner lite-
Behold the victim there."
3 Once David seem'd Saul's certain prey;
But hark! the foe's at hand;
Saul turns his arms another way,
To save the' invaded land.
4 When Jonah sunk beneath the wave,
He thought to rise no more;
But God prepared a fish to save,
And bear him to the shore.
5 Bless'd proofs of power and grace divine,
That meet us in his word!
May every deep-felt care of mine
Be trusted with the Lord!
6 Wait for his seasonable aid,
And though it tarry, wait:
The promise may be long delay'd,
But cannot come too late.
The Lord will provide.
I THOUGH troubles assail,
And dangers affright,
Though friends should all fail,
And foes all unite :
Yet one thing secures us,
Whatever betide,
The Scripture assures us,
The Lord will provide.
2 The birds without barn
Or storehouse are fed;
From them let us learn
To trust for our bread :
His saints what is fitting
Shall ne'er be denied,
So long as 'tis written,
The Lord will provide.
|