2 Since first the maze of life I trod,
Hast thou not hedg'd about my way,
My worldly, vain designs withstood,
And robb'd my passions of their
Withheld the fuel from the fire,
And cross'd my every fond desire !
3 How oft didst thou my soul withhold,
And baffle my pursuit of fame,
And mortify my lust of gold,
And blast me in my surest aim
Withdraw my animal delight,
And starve my grovelling appetite?
4 Thou wouldst not let the captive go,
Or leave me to my carnal will;
Thy love forbad my rest below,
Thy patient love pursu'd me still,
And forc'd me from my sin to part,
And tore the idol from my heart.
5 But can I now the loss lament,
Or murmur at thy friendly blow? Thy friendly blow my heart hath rent, From every seeming good below; Thrice happy loss, which makes me see My happiness is all in THEE.
New Year's Day. Luke xiii. 6-9.
HE Lord of earth and sky,
The God of ages praise!
Who reigns enthron'd on high,
Ancient of endless days;
Who lengthens out our trial here,
And spares us yet another year.
2 Barren and wither'd trees,
We cumber'd long the ground:
No fruit of holiness
On our dead souls was found;
Yet doth he us in mercy spare,
Another, and another year.
3 When justice gave the word
To cut the fig-tree down,
The pity of our Lord,
Cried, "Let it still alone:"
The Father mild inclines his ear,
And spares us yet another year.
4 Jesus, thy speaking blood
From God obtain'd the grace,
Who therefore hath bestow'd
On us a longer space:
Thou didst in our behalf appear,
And lo, we see another year!
5 Then dig about our root,
Break up our fallow ground,
And let our gracious fruit
To thy great praise abound;
O let us all thy praise declare,
And fruit unto perfection bear.
Faith prevailing over Fear; or, Hope in Famine. Hab. iii. 17, 18.
1 A WAY my unbelieving fear!
Fear shall in me no more have place!
My Saviour doth not yet appear,
He hides the brightness of his face:
But shall I therefore let him go,
And basely to the tempter yield?
No-in the strength of Jesus, no!
I never will give up my
2 Although the vine it's fruit deny;
Although the olive vield no oil;
The withering fig-tree droop and die;
The field illude the tiller's toil;
The empty stall no herd afford;
And perish all the bleeting race;an, je
Yet will I triumph in the Lord,
The God of my salvation praise.
3 Barren although my soul remain,
And not one bud of grace appear,
No fruit of all my toil and pain,
But sin, and only sin is here;
Although my gifts and comforts lost,
My blooming hopes cut off I see,
Yet will I in my Saviour trust,
Whose matchless grace can reach to me.
4 In hope believing against hope,
His promis'd mercy will I claim ;
His gracious word shall bear me up
To seek salvation in his name ;
Soon, my dear Saviour, bring it nigh:
My soul shall then outstrip the wind;
On wings of love mount up on high,
And leave the world and sin behind.
Invitation. Is. lv. 1, &c.
1 HO! every one that thirsts, draw nigh,
"Tis God invites the fallen race;
Mercy and free salvation buy,
Buy wine and milk, and gospel grace.
2 Come to the living waters, come!
Sinners obey your Maker's voice;
Return, ye weary wanderers home,
And in redeeming love rejoice,
3 See, from the Rock, a Fountain rise!
For you in healing streams it rolls;
Money ye need not bring, nor price,
Ye labouring, burden'd, sin-sick souls,
4 Nothing ye in exchange shall give,
Leave all ye have, and are, behind;
Freely the gift of God receive,
Pardon and peace in Jesus find.
Christian Union; a Hymn at parting.
1 B That will not let us part;
LEST be the dear, uniting love,
Our bodies may far off remove,
We still are one in heart.
2 Join'd in one Spirit to our Head,
Where he appoints we go;
And still in Jesus' footsteps tread,
And shew his praise below.
3 O may we ever walk in him!
And nothing know beside,
Nothing desire, nothing esteem,
But Jesus crucified!
4 Closer and closer let us cleave
To his belov'd embrace;
Expect his fullness to receive,
And grace to answer grace.
|