He wrought by weight and measure, Thus wisdom's words discover Of our unworthy race! Ere stars were seen above; And couldst thou be delighted And mystery divine! The voice that speaks in thunder, VII. VANITY OF THE WORLD. GOD gives his mercies to be spent ; Gold is a blessing only lent, The world's esteem is but a bribe, To buy their peace you sell your own; The slave of a vainglorious tribe, Who hate you while they make you known. The joy that vain amusements give, Oh! sad conclusion that it brings! The honey of a crowded hive, Defended by a thousand stings. 'Tis thus the world rewards the fools VIII. O LORD, I WILL PRAISE THEE. Isaiah xii. 1. I WILL praise thee every day Here, in the fair gospel-field, Jesus is become at length Praise ye, then, his glorious name, Still his worth your praise exceeds, Raise again the joyful sound, God the Saviour dwells in thee! IX. THE CONTRITE HEART. Isaiah lvii. 15. THE Lord will happiness divine On contrite hearts bestow ; A contrite heart or no? I hear, but seem to hear in vain, If ought is felt, 'tis only pain, To find I cannot feel. I sometimes think myself inclined To love thee, if I could; My best desires are faint and few, Thy saints are comforted, I know, O make this heart rejoice or ache; X. THE FUTURE PEACE AND GLORY OF THE CHURCH. Isaiah ix. 15-20. HEAR what God the Lord hath spoken, "O my people, faint and few, Comfortless, afflicted, broken, Fair abodes I build for you; Thorns of heart-felt tribulation Shall no more perplex your ways: You shall name your walls, Salvation, "There, like streams that feed the garden, Pleasures without end shall flow; For the Lord, your faith rewarding, "Ye no more your suns descending, God shall rise, and shining o'er you, XI. JEHOVAH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. My God, how perfect are thy ways! But mine polluted are; Sin twines itself about my praise, And slides into my prayer. Jer. xxiii. 6. When I would speak what thou hast done I cannot make thy mercies known, But self-applause creeps in. |