ON SELECT PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE.
1 ON man, in his own image made,
How much did God bestow !
The whole creation homage paid,
And own'd him Lord below.
2 He dwelt in Eden's garden, stor'd
With sweets for every sense;
And there, with his descending Lord,
He walk'd in confidence.
3 But, oh! by sin how quickly chang'd!
His honour forfeited,
His heart from God and truth estrang'd,
His conscience fill'd with dread!
4 Now from his Maker's voice he flees,
Which was before his joy;
And thinks to hide, amidst the trees,
From an all-seeing eye.
5 Compell❜d to answer to his name,
With stubbornness and pride,
He cast on God himself the blame;
Nor once for mercy cried.
6 But grace, unask'd, his heart subdu'd,
And all his guilt forgave;
By faith the promis'd seed he view'd,
And felt his power to save.
7 Thus we ourselves would justify,
Though we the law transgress;
Like him, unable to deny,
Unwilling to confess.
8 But when by faith the sinner sees
A pardon bought with blood;
Then he forsakes his foolish pleas,
And gladly turns to God.
1 WHEN Adam fell, he quickly lost
God's image, which he once possess'd:
See all our nature since could boast,
In Cain, his first-born son, express'd!
2 The sacrifice the Lord ordain'd
In type of the Redeemer's blood,
Self-righteous reas'ning Cain disdain'd,
And thought his own first-fruits as good.
3 Yet rage and envy fill'd his mind,
When, with a sullen downcast look,
He saw his brother favour find,
Who God's appointed method took.
4 By Cain's own hand good Abel died
Because the Lord approv'd his faith;
And, when his blood for vengeance cried,
He vainly thought to hide his death.
5 Such was the wicked murd'rer Cain,
Ane such by nature still are we,
Until by grace we're born again,
Malicious, blind, and proud, as he.
6 Like him the way of grace we slight,
And in our own devices trust;
Call evil good, and darkness light,
And hate and persecute the just.
7 The saints, in every age and place,
Have found his history fulfill'd:
The numbers all our thoughts surpass,
Of Abels, whom the Cains have kill'd!*
8 Thus Jesus fell-but, oh! his blood
Far better things than Abel's cries; †
Obtains his murderers' peace with God,
And gains them mansions in the skies.
C. Walking with God. Chap. v. 24.
1 OH! for a closer walk with God,
A calm and heavenly frame;
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb!
2 Where is the blessedness I knew,
When first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soul-refreshing view
Of Jesus, and his word?
3 What peaceful hours I once enjoy'd!
How sweet their mem❜ry still!
But they have left an aching void,
The world can never fill.
4 Return, O holy Dove, return,
Sweet messenger of rest;
I hate the sins that made thee mourn,
And drove thee from my breast.
5 The dearest idol I have known,
Whate'er that idol be,
Help me to tear it from thy throne,
And worship only thee.
6 So shall my walk be close with God,
Calm and serene my frame;
So purer light shall mark the road
That leads me to the Lamb.
1 By faith in Christ I walk with God,
With heaven, my journey's end, in view;
Supported by his staff and rod, *
My road is safe and pleasant too.
2 I travel through a desert wide,
Where many round me blindly stray:
But he vouchsafes to be my guide, †
And will not let me miss my way.
3 Though snares and dangers throng my path,
And earth and hell my course withstand,
I triumph over all by faith,
Guarded by his Almighty hand.
4 The wilderness affords no food,
But God for my support prepares;
Provides me every needful good,
And frees my soul from wants and cares.
5 With him sweet converse I maintain,
Great as he is, I dare be free;
I tell him all my grief and pain,
And he reveals his love to me.
6 Some cordial from his word he brings,
Whene'er my feeble spirit faints;
At once my soul revives and sings,
And yields no more to sad complaints.
7 I pity all that worldlings talk
Of pleasures that will quickly end:
Be this my choice, O Lord, to walk
With thee, my Guide, my Guard, my Friend.
V. Lot in Sodom. Chap. xiii. 10. 1 How hurtful was the choice of Lot, Who took up his abode (Because it was a fruitful spot)
With them who fear'd not God!
2 A pris'ner he was quickly made,
Bereav'd of all his store;
And, but for Abraham's timely aid,
He had return'd no more.
3 Yet still he seem'd resolv'd to stay,
As if it were his rest:
Although their sins from day to day *
His righteous soul distress'd.
4 Awhile he stay'd with anxious mind,
Expos'd to scorn and strife;
At last he left his all behind,
And fled to save his life.
5 In vain his sons-in-law he warn'd,
They thought he told his dreams;
His daughters, too, of them had learn'd,
And perish'd in the flames.
6 His wife escap'd a little way,
But died for looking back: Does not her case to pilgrims say, "Beware of growing slack?"
7 Yea, Lot himself could ling'ring stand, Though vengeance was in view,
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