And whither shall a sinner flee To save himself from Hell? Dear Lord, this book of thine Informs me where to go, For grace to pardon all my sin, And make me holy too. Here I can read, and learn How Christ, the Son of God, Has undertook our great concern ; Our ransom cost his blood. And now he reigns above, He sends his Spirit down To show the wonders of his love, And make his gospel known. O may that Spirit teach, And make my heart receive Those truths which all thy servants preach, And all thy saints believe! Then shall I praise the Lord In a more cheerful strain, That I was taught to read his word, SONG IX. THE ALL-SEEING GOD. ALMIGHTY God, thy piercing eye Strikes through the shades of night, And our most secret actions lie All open to thy sight. There's not a sin that we commit, But in thy dreadful book 'tis writ, Against the judgment-day. And must the crimes that I have done And blot them from thy book, And let his blood wash out my stains, And answer for my guilt. O may I now for ever fear T' indulge a sinful thought, Since the great God can see and hear, And writes down every fault! SONG X. SOLEMN THOUGHTS OF GOD AND DEATH. THERE is a God that reigns above, There is a gospel of rich grace, Whence sinners all their comforts draw: Let me improve the hours I have, Just as a tree cut down, that fell SONG XI. HEAVEN AND HELL. THERE is beyond the sky A Heaven of joy and love; And holy children when they die There is a dreadful Hell, And everlasting pains; There sinners must with devils dwell While I have life and breath; SONG XII. THE ADVANTAGES OF EARLY RELIGION Who hates the sinner's path, and fears 'T is pleasing in his eyes; A flower when offered in the bud Is no vain sacrifice. "T is easier work if we begin To fear the Lord betimes; 'T will save us from a thousand snares, 'Twill please us to look back and see Let the sweet work of prayer and praise SONG XIII. THE DANGER OF DELAY. WHY should I say, ""Tis yet too soon What if the Lord grow wroth, and swear, 'Tis dangerous to provoke a God! And strike me dead upon the place? But liars we can never trust, Though they should speak the thing that 's true; And he that does one fault at first, And lies to hide it, makes it two. Have we not known, nor heard, nor read, How God abhors deceit and wrong? How Ananias was struck dead, Catch'd with a lie upon his tongue So did his wife Saphira die, The Lord delights in them that speak Then let me always watch my lips, Lest I be struck to death and Hell, Since God a book of reckoning keeps For every lie that children tell. Then 'twill for ever be in vain SONG XIV. EXAMPLES OF EARLY PIETY. WHAT bless'd examples do I find At twelve years old he talk'd with men, And bless'd their Saviour's name; To know his holy word. I would not pass another day SONG XV. O'Tis a lovely thing for youth SONG XVI. AGAINST QUARRELLING AND FIGHTING, LET dogs delight to bark and bite, But, children, you should never let Your little hands were never made Let love through all your actions run, That sweet and lovely child, His soul was gentle as a lamb ;. He grew in favour both with man, Now Lord of All he reigns above, SONG XVII. LOVE BETWEEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS. WHATEVER brawls disturb the street, Where sisters dwell and brothers meet, Birds in their little nests agree; And 'tis a shameful sight, When children of one family Fall out, and chide, and fight. Hard names at first, and threatening words, May grow to clubs and naked swords, The Devil tempts one mother's son To rage against another; So wicked Cain was hurried on Till he had kill'd his brother. The wise will make their anger cool At least before 't's night; But in the bosom of a fool It burns till morning light. Pardon, O Lord, our childish rage, Our little brawls remove; That, as we grow to riper age, Our hearts may all be love. SONG XVIII. AGAINST SCOFFING AND CALLING NAMES. OUR tongues were made to bless the Lord, We must not rail again. Cross words and angry names require But lips that dare be so profane, The Lord shall cut them off. When children in their wanton play And bid the prophet go his way, "Go up, thou bald-head, go,” God quickly stopp'd their wicked breath, And sent two raging bears, That tore them limb from limb to death, With blood and groans and tears. Great God, how terrible art thou To sinners e'er so young! Grant me thy grace, and teach me how SONG XIX. AGAINST SWEARING, AND CURSING, AND TAKING GOD'S NAME IN VAIN. ANGELS, that high in glory dwell, Beneath the terrours of thy rod. And yet how wicked children dare Abuse thy dreadful glorious name! How will they stand before thy face, Who treated thee with such disdain, While thou shalt doom them to the place Of everlasting fire and pain? Then never shall one cooling drop To quench their burning tongues be given; My heart shall be in pain to hear If my companions grow profane, SONG XX. AGAINST IDLENESS AND MISCHIEF. How doth the little busy bee From every opening flower! How neat she spreads the wax! For Satan finds some mischief still In books, or work, or healthful play, That I may give for every day SONG XXI. AGAINST EVIL COMPANY, Who curse and swear, but never pray; I hate to hear a wanton song, I should not dare defile my tongue I would be walking with the wise, From one rude boy that us'd to mock, One sickly sheep infects the flock, My God, I hate to walk, or dwell SONG XXII. AGAINST PRIDE IN CLOTHES. WHY should our garments, made to hide. Our parents' shame, provoke our pride? The art of dress did ne'er begin, Till Eve, our mother, learn'd to sin, When first she put her covering on, Her robe of innocence was gone; And yet her children vainly boast In the sad marks of glory lost. How proud we are! how fond to shew It never fades, it ne'er grows old, Nor fears the rain, nor moth, nor mould: How senseless is my heart, and wild! How vain are all my thoughts! Pity the weakness of a child, And pardon all my faults! Make me thy heavenly voice to hear, Since God will lend a gracious ear SONG XXV. A MORNING SONG. My God, who makes the Sun to know His proper hour to rise, And to give light to all below, Doth send him round the skies. When from the chambers of the East His morning race begins, He never tires, nor stops to rest; But round the world he shines. Give me, O Lord, thy early grace, That the young morning of my days SONG XXIII. OBEDIENCE TO PARENTS. LET children that would fear the Lord Hear what their teachers say; Have you not heard what dreadful plagues How cursed is his name! The ravens shall pick out his eyes, But those who worship God, and give Here on this Earth they long shall live, SONG XXVI. AN EVENING SONG, AND now another day is gone, I'll sing my Maker's praise; But how my childhood runs to waste! I lay my body down to sleep; And through the hours of darkness keep With cheerful heart I close my eyes, And in the morning let me rise DUTY TO GOD AND OUR NEIGHBOUR LOVE God with all your soul and strength, To-day with pleasure Christians meet, I'll leave my sport, to read and pray, SONG XXVIII. FOR THE LORD'S-DAY EVENING. LORD, how delightful 't is to see A whole assembly worship thee! At once they sing, at once they pray; I have been there, and still would go: With thoughts of Christ and things divine With all your heart and mind: And love your neighbour as yourself, Deal with another, as you 'd have What you 're unwilling to receive, [Out of my Book of Hymns I have here added the Hosanna, and Glory to the Father, &c. to be sung at the end of any of these Songs, according to the direction of parents or governors.] THE HOSANNA: OR SALVATION ASCRIBED TO CHRIST. LONG METRE. HOSANNA to king David's Son, Who reigns on a superiour throne: COMMON METRE. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, OUT OF THE HOSANNA to the Prince of Grace; OLD TESTAMENT. PUT INTO SHORT RHIME FOR CHILDREN. Exodus, Chap. xx. 1. THOU shalt have no more Gods but me. 3. Take not the name of God in vain. 8. Nor steal, though thou art poor and mean. 9. Nor make a wilful lie, nor love it. 10. What is thy neighbour's dare not covet. THE SUM OF THE COMMANDMENTS, OUT OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. Matthew xxii. 37. WITH all thy soul love God above, And as thyself thy neighbour love. OUR SAVIOUR'S GOLDEN RULE. Be you to others kind and true, Sion, behold thy King! Proclaim the Son of David's race, And teach the babes to sing. Hosanna to th' eternal Word, Who from the Father came; Ascribe salvation to the Lord, With blessings on his name. SHORT METRE. HOSANNA to the Son Of David and of God, Who brought the news of pardon down, And bought it with his blood. To Christ, th' anointed King, Be endless blessings given; Let the whole Earth his glory sing, Who made our peace with Heaven. GLORY TO THE FATHER AND THE SON, &c. LONG METRE. To God the Father, God the Son, And God the Spirit, Three in One; Be honour, praise and glory given, By all on Earth, and all in Heaven, COMMON METRE. Now let the Father and the Son, And Spirit, be ador'd, Where there are works to make him known, Or saints to love the Lord. |