Hymns and Spiritual Songs Part 4

4 My spirit holds perpetual war, And wrestles and complains; But views the happy moment near That shall dissolve its chains.

5 Cheerful in death I close my eyes, To part with every l.u.s.t; And charge my flesh whene'er it rise To leave them in the dust.

6 My purer spirit shall not fear To put this body on: Its tempting powers no more are there, Its l.u.s.ts and pa.s.sions gone.

Hymn 1:23. [Supplement.]

A hopeful youth falling short of heaven, Mark 10. 21.

1 Must all the charms of nature then So hopeless to salvation prove?

Can h.e.l.l demand, can heaven condemn The man whom Jesus deigns to love?

2 The man who sought the ways of truth, Paid friends and neighbours all their due, (A modest, sober, lovely youth) And thought he wanted nothing now.

3 But mark the change! thus spake the Lord, "Come, part with earth for heaven to-day,"

The youth astonish'd at the word, In silent sadness went his way.

4 Poor virtues that he boasted so, This test unable to endure; Let Christ, and grace, and glory go To make his land and money sure.

5 Ah foolish choice of treasures here!

Ah fatal love of tempting gold!

Must this base world be bought so dear?

Are life and heaven so cheaply sold?

6 In vain the charms of nature shine, If this vile pa.s.sion govern me: Transform my soul, O love divine, And make me part with all for thee.

Hymn 1:24.

The rich sinner dying, Psalm 49. 6 9. Eccl. 8. 8.

Job 3. 14 15.

1 In vain the wealthy mortals toil, And heap their shining dust in vain, Look down and scorn the humble poor, And boast their lofty hills of gain.

2 Their golden cordials cannot ease Their pained hearts or aching heads, Nor fright nor bribe approaching death From glittering roofs and downy beds.

3 The lingering, the unwilling soul The dismal summons must obey, And bid a long a sad farewell To the pale lump of lifeless clay.

4 Thence they are huddled to the grave, Where kings and slaves have equal thrones; Their bones without distinction lie Amongst the heap of meaner bones.

The rest referred to Psalm 49.

Hymn 1:25.

A vision of the Lamb, Rev 5. 6-9.

1 All mortal vanities, be gone, Nor tempt my eyes, nor tire my ears, Behold amidst th' eternal throne A vision of the Lamb appears.

2[Glory his fleecy robe adorns, Mark'd with the b.l.o.o.d.y death he bore; Seven are his eyes, and seven his horns, To speak his wisdom and his power.

3 Lo, he receives a sealed book From him that sits upon the throne: Jesus, my Lord, prevails to look On dark decrees, and things unknown.]

4 All the a.s.sembling saints around Fall worshipping before the Lamb, And in new songs of gospel-sound Address their honours to his name,

5 The joy, the shout, the harmony Flies o'er the everlasting hills, "Worthy art thou alone," they cry, "To read the book, to loose the seals."]

6 Our voices join the heavenly strain, And with transporting pleasure sing, "Worthy the Lamb that once was slain, "To be our teacher and our king!"

7 His words of prophecy reveal Eternal counsels, deep designs; His grace and vengeance shall fulfil The peaceful and the dreadful lines.

8 Thou hast redeem'd our souls from h.e.l.l 'With thine invaluable blood; And wretches that did once rebel Are now made favourites of their Cod.

9 Worthy for ever is the Lord, That died for treasons not his own, By every tongue to be ador'd, And dwell upon his Father's throne.

Hymn 1:26.

Hope of heaven by the resurrection of Christ, 1 Peter 1. 3-5.

1 Bless'd be the everlasting G.o.d, The Father of our Lord, Be his abounding mercy prais'd, His majesty ador'd.

2 When from the dead he rais'd his Son, And call'd him to the sky, He gave our souls a lively hope That they should never die.

3 What tho' our inbred sins require Our flesh to see the dust!

Yet as the Lord our Saviour rose, So all his followers must.

4 There's an inheritance divine Reserv'd against that day, 'Tis uncorrupted, undefil'd, And cannot waste away.

5 Saints by the power of G.o.d are kept Till the salvation come; We walk by faith as strangers here Till Christ shall call us home.

Hymn 1:27.

a.s.surance of heaven; or, A saint prepared to die, 2 Tim. 4. 6 7 8 18.

1 [Death may dissolve my body now, And bear my spirit home; Why do my minutes move so slow, Nor my salvation come?

2 With heavenly weapons I have fought The battles of the Lord, Finish'd my course, and kept the faith, And wait the sure reward.]

3 G.o.d has laid up in heaven for me A crown which cannot fade; The righteous Judge at that great day Shall place it on my head.

4 Nor hath the King of grace decreed This prize for me alone; But all that love and long to see Th' appearance of his Son.

5 Jesus the Lord shall guard me safe From every ill design; And to his heavenly kingdom keep This feeble soul of mine.

6 G.o.d is my everlasting aid And h.e.l.l shall rage in vain; To him be highest glory paid, And endless praise.--Amen.

Hymn 1:28.

The triumph of Christ over the enemies of his church, Isa. 63. 1 2 3 &c.