When comforts are declining, In holy contemplation, And find it ever new Set free from present sorrow E'en let the unknown to-morrow It can bring with it nothing, The vine nor fig-tree neither + Their wonted fruit should bear, Though all the field should wither, Nor flocks nor herds be there: Yet God the same abiding, His praise shall tune my voice; For, while in him confiding, I cannot but rejoice. *Matthew vi. 34. Habakkuk iii. 17, 18. XLIX. TRUE PLEASURES. LORD, my soul with pleasure springs, When Jesus' name I hear; And when God the Spirit brings Still delighted I perceive; Nor have words that can express Clothed in sanctity and grace, Those who love thee as they pass, What we owe to love divine; Those the comforts I possess, *Prov. iii. 17 VOL. VIII. + Matt. xi. 30. L L. THE CHRISTIAN. HONOUR and happiness unite To make the Christian's name a praise; How fair the scene, how clear the light, That fills the remnant of his days! A kingly character he bears, No change his priestly office knows; Adorn'd with glory from on high, Inferior honours he disdains, Nor stoops to take applause from earth: The noblest creature seen below, My soul is ravish'd at the thought! And shout him welcome to the skies! LI. LIVELY HOPE AND GRACIOUS FEAR. I was a grovelling creature once, I wanted spirit to renounce The clod that gave me birth. But God has breath'd upon a worm, With these to Pisgah's top I fly, The Lord of all the vast domain The length and breadth of all the plain How glorious is my privilege! Though much exalted in the Lord, Then let me tremble at his word, And none shall cast me down. LII. FOR THE POOR. WHEN Hagar found the bottle spent, A message from the Lord was sent Should not Elijah's cake and cruise† A gracious God will not refuse His saints and servants shall be fed, The promise is secure ; "Bread shall be given them," he has said, Repasts far richer they shall prove, To Jesus then your trouble bring, LIII. MY SOUL THIRSTETH FOR GOD. I THIRST, but not as once I did The vain delights of earth to share ; Thy wounds, Emmanuel, all forbid That I should seek my pleasures there. *Gen. xxi. 19. +1 Kings xvii. 14. † Isa. xxxiii, 16. |