IV. CREATION.

LXXX. The Old and New Creation.

1 THAT was a wonder-working word
Which could the vast creation raise!
Angels, attendant on their Lord,
Admir'd the plan, and sung his praise.*

2 From what a dark and shapeless mass,
All nature sprang at his command!
Let there be light, and light there was,
And sun, and stars, and sea, and land.

3 With equal speed the earth and seas
Their mighty Maker's voice obey'd;
He spake, and straight the plants and trees,
And birds, and beasts, and man were made.

4 But man, the lord and crown of all,
By sin his honour soon defac'd;
His heart (how alter'd since the fall!)
Is dark, deform'd, and void, and waste.

5 The new creation of the soul

Does now no less his pow'r display,
Than when he form'd the mighty whole,
And kindled darkness into day.t

6 Though self-destroy'd, O Lord, we are, Yet let us feel what thou canst do; Thy word the ruin can repair,

And all our hearts create anew.

* Job, xxxviii. 7.

+ 2 Cor. iv. 6.

LXXXI. The Book of Creation.

1 THE book of nature open lies,

With much instruction stor'd;
But till the Lord anoints our eyes,
We cannot read a word.

2. Philosophers have por'd in vain,
And guess'd from age to age;
For reason's eye could ne'er attain
To understand a page.

3 Though to each star they give a name, Its size and motions teach;

The truths which all the stars proclaim
Their wisdom cannot reach.

4 With skill to measure earth and sea,
And weigh the subtle air;
They cannot, Lord, discover thee,
Though present ev'ry where.

5 The knowledge of the saints excels
The wisdom of the schools;
To them his secrets God reveals,
Though men account them fools.

6 To them the sun and stars on high,
The flow'rs that paint the field,
And all the artless birds that fly,
Divine instruction yield.*

7 The creatures on their senses press,
As witnesses to prove

Their Saviour's pow'r and faithfulness,
His providence and love.

*Matt. vi. 26-28.

8 Thus may we study nature's book,
To make us wise indeed!

And pity those who only look
At what they cannot read.*

LXXXII. The Rainbow.

1 WHEN the sun, with cheerful beams,
Smiles upon a low'ring sky,
Soon its aspect soft'ned seems,
And a rainbow meets the eye:
While the sky remains serene,
This bright arch is never seen.

2 Thus the Lord's supporting pow'r
Brightest to his saints appears,
When affliction's threat'ning hour
Fills their sky with clouds and fears:
He can wonders then perform,
Paint a rainbow on the storm.†

3 All their graces doubly shine,
When their troubles press them sore;
And the promises divine

Give them joys unknown before:

As the colours of the bow

To the cloud their brightness owe.

4 Favour'd John a rainbow saw,

Circling round the throne above;
Hence the saints a pledge may draw
Of unchanging cov'nant love;
Clouds a while may intervene,
But the bow will still be seen.

* Rom. i. 20.

+ Gen. ix. 14.

↑ Rev. iv. 3.

LXXXIII. Thunder.

1 WHEN a black o'erspreading cloud
Has dark'ned all the air,

And peals of thunder, roaring loud,
Proclaim the tempest near;

2 Then guilt and fear, the fruits of sin, The sinner oft pursue;

A louder storm is heard within,
And conscience thunders too.

3 The law a fiery language speaks,
His danger he perceives;
Like Satan, who his ruin seeks,
He trembles and believes.

4 But when the sky serene appears,
And thunders roll no more,

He soon forgets his vows and fears,
Just as he did before.

5 But whither shall the sinner flee,
When nature's mighty frame,
The pond'rous earth, and air, and sea,
Shall all dissolve in flame ?*

6 Amazing day! it comes apace!
The Judge is hasting down!
Will sinners bear to see his face,
Or stand before his frown?

7 Lord, let thy mercy find a way
To touch each stubborn heart;
That they may never hear thee say,
"Ye cursed ones, depart."

* 2 Pet. iii. 10.

8 Believers, ye may well rejoice! The thunder's loudest strains

Should be to you a welcome voice, "JESUS REIGNS!"

That tells

you,

LXXXIV. Lightning in the Night.

1 A GLANCE from heav'n, with sweet effect,
Sometimes my pensive spirit cheers;
But ere I can my thoughts collect,
As suddenly it disappears.

2 So lightning in the gloom of night
Affords a momentary day;

Disclosing objects full in sight,

Which soon as seen are snatch'd away.

3 Ah! what avail these pleasing scenes!
They do but aggravate my pain;
While darkness quickly intervenes,
And swallows up my joys again.

4 But shall I murmur at relief?
Though short, it was a precious view,
Sent to control my unbelief,

And prove that what I read was true.

5 The lightning's flash did not create The opening prospect it reveal'd; But only show'd the real state

Of what the darkness had conceal'd.

6 Just so, we by a glimpse discern
The glorious things within the vail;
That, when in darkness, we may learn
To live by faith, till light prevail.