7 Think, if you slight this embassy, And will not warning take, When Jesus in the clouds you see, What answer will you make? XXVIII. Paul's Farewell Charge. Acts xx. 26, 27. 1 WHEN Paul was parted from his 4 But they who heard the word in vain, friends It was a weeping day; But Jesus made them all amends, 2 Ere long they met again with joy, 8 Thus all the preachers of his grace Though oft and plainly warn'd, Will tremble when they meet again The ministers they scorn'd. 5 On your own heads your blood will fall, If any perish here; The preachers who have told you all, 6 Yet, Lord, to save themselves alone, XXIX. How shall I put thee among the Children? Jer. iii. 19. His blood a full atonement makes, 5 Yet one thing more must grace provide, To bring us home to God, [dy'd, Or we shall slight the Lord, who And trample on his blood. 6 The Holy Spirit must reveal The Saviour's work and worth; Then the hard heart begins to feel A new and heav'nly birth. 7 Thus bought with blood, and born again, Redeem'd and sav'd by grace, Rebels, in God's own house, obtain A son's and daughter's place. Winter.* 3 Jesus, my glorious Sun, arise! "Tis thine the frozen heart to move; Oh! hush these storms, and clear my skies, And let me feel thy vital love! 4 Dear Lord, regard my feeble cry, I faint and droop till thou appear; Wilt thou permit thy plant to die? Must it be winter all the year? *Book iii. Hymn 31. 5 Be still, my soul, and wait this hour, With humble pray'ı, and patient faith; Till he reveals his gracious pow'r, Repose on what his promise saith. 6 He, by whose all-commanding word* Seasons their changing course maintain, In ev'ry change a pledge affords, That none shall seek his face in vain. XXXI. Waiting for Spring. 1 THOUGH cloudy skies and northern | 5 Winter and spring have each their use, [know; And each, in turn, his people One kills the weeds their hearts produce, The other makes their graces grow. 6 Though like dead trees a while they seem, Yet having life within their root, The welcome spring's reviving beam Draws forth their blossoms, leaves, and fruit. 7 But if the tree indeed be dead, It feels no change, though spring return; Its leafless, naked, barren head, Proclaims it only fit to burn. 8 Dear Lord, afford our souls a spring, Thou know'st our winter has been long; [sing, Shine forth and warm our hearts to And thy rich grace shall be our song. Spring. 4 But, ah! in vain I strive to join, Oppress'd with sin and doubt; I feel 'tis winter still within, 2 And now long wish'd for spring is 5 Oh! would my Saviour, from on [shine! 6 Till then-no softly-warbling thrush, * Gen. viii. 22. 7 To Adam, soon as he transgress'd, Thus Eden bloom'd in vain : Not Paradise could give him rest, Or sooth his heart-felt pain. 8 Yet here an emblem I perceive Of what the Lord can do! XXXIII. 1 PLEASING spring again is here! 2 What a change has taken place! 3 Lord, afford a spring to me! Let me feel like what I see! Ah! my winter has been long, Chill'd my hopes, and stopp'd my song! XXXIV. Dear Saviour, help me to believe, That I may flourish too. 9 Thy word can soon my hopes revive, Čan overcome my foes, And make my languid graces thrive, Another. Winter threaten'd to destroy Still I could not yield thee fruit. 4 Speak, and by thy gracious voice 5 Lord, I long to be at home, Where these changes never come! How unlike this state below! Summer Storms.* 1 THOUGH the morn may be serene, 2 Often thus the child of grace 3 Should we warn him of a change, Till dark clouds his sun conceal, 4 But the wonder-working Lord 5 Try'd believers too can say, + Book i. Hymn 44. 1 SEE! the corn again in ear! How the fields and vallies smile! Harvest now is drawing near, Το repay the farmer's toil: Gracious Lord, secure the crop, Satisfy the poor with food: In thy mercy is our hope, We have sinn'd, but thou art good. 2 While I view the plenteous grain Was produc'd from foreign seeds; For the earth itself would yield Only crops of useless weeds. 3 Though, when newly sown, it lay Hid a while beneath the ground, (Some might think it thrown away,) Now a large increase is found; Though conceal'd, it was not lost, Though it dy'd, it lives again; Eastern storms, and nipping frosts, Have oppos'd its growth in vain. 4 Let the praise be all the Lord's, As the benefit is ours! He, in season, still affords Kindly heat, and gentle show'rs: By his care the produce thrives, Waving o'er the furrow'd lands; And when harvest time arrives, Ready for the reaper stands. 5 Thus in barren hearts he sows Precious seeds of heav'nly joy ; Sin and hell in vain oppose, None can grace's crop destroy : XXXIX. Man honoured above Angels. 1 Now let us join with hearts and And emulate the angels's songs; 2 They praise the Lamb who once was But we can add a higher strain; And still he makes it his abode; 5 Our next of kin, our Brother now, 6 But, ah! how faint our praises rise! |