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See pleasure's silken banners spread,
And willing souls are captive led!
3 I tread upon enchanted ground,
Perils and snares beset me round;
O let me then guard every part;
But most, the traitor in my heart!
4 O teach thy servant how to wield,
Blest Saviour, thy immortal shield;
Put on thy armour from above,
Of heavenly truth and heavenly love.
5 The terror and the charm repel,

The smiles of earth, the frowns of hell;
The tempter once thou didst subdue;
O make me more than conqueror too!

HYMN CCXXII. L. M.

Self-Examination.

1 Thou vain, intruding world, depart! No more allure or vex my heart; Let every vanity be gone,

I would be peaceful and alone.

2 Here let me search my inmost mind, And try its real state to find;

The secret springs of thought explore, And call my words and actions o'er. 3 Reflect how soon my life will end, And think on what my hopes depend;

What aim my busy thoughts pursue ; What work is done, and what to do. 4 Eternity is just at hand;

And shall I waste the ebbing sand? And careless view departing day? And throw my fleeting time away? 5 Be this my chief, my constant care, My high pursuit, my ardent prayerAn interest in the Saviour's blood, A pardon seal'd and peace with God. 6 Search, gracious God, my inmost heart, And light, and hope, and joy impart ; From guilt and error set me free, And guide me safe to heaven and thee.

HYMN CCXXIII. L. M.

The same subject.

1 What image does my spirit bear? Is Jesus formed, and living there? Say, do his lineaments divine,

In thought, and word, and action shine? 2 Searcher of hearts! O search me still; The secrets of my soul reveal,

My fears remove; let me appear

To God, and my own conscience, clear. 3 Scatter the clouds, that o'er my head, Thick glooms of dubious terrors spread;

Lead me into celestial day,

And, to myself, myself display.

4 May I at that bless'd world arrive, Where Christ through all my soul shall live, And give full proof that he is there, Without one gloomy doubt or fear.

HYMN CCXXIV. L. M.

Retirement and meditation.

1 My God! permit me not to be
A stranger to myself and thee;
Amidst a thousand thoughts I rove,
Forgetful of my highest love.

2 Why should my passions mix with earth,
And thus debase my heavenly birth?
Why should I cleave to things below,
And let my God, my Saviour, go?

3 Call me away from flesh and sense,
Thy powerful word can draw me thence;
I would obey the voice divine,
And all inferior joys resign.

4 Be earth, with all her scenes, withdrawn; Let noise and vanity be gone ;

In secret silence of the mind,
My heaven, and there my God, I find.

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On becoming acquainted with God.

1 O shun, in youth the thoughtless throng Of fashion's fickle train;

Though gay its smiles, and sweet its song,
The world's delights are vain.

2 Thy soul unbosom oft in prayer,
Thy wants to God unfold,
And to his will with earnest care
Thy spirit strive to mould.

3 0, form to him the op'ning soul
In solemn solitude;

'Mid silence there the heavenly goal
In visions high be view'd.

4 My God! from busy crowds I fly;
Be thou my guide, my friend;
O, raise my soul, or from on high
Vouchsafe thy face to bend.

5 And bid my spirit, e'en below,
Thy mercies clearly see;

With thee, my God, acquainted grow,
And build all hopes on thee.

HYMN CCXXVI. C. M.

Religious retirement.

1 Far from the world, O Lord! I flee, From strife and tumult far ;

From scenes where sin is waging still
Its most successful war.

2 The calm retreat, the silent shade,
With prayer and praise agree;
And seem by thy sweet bounty made
For those who follow thee.

3 There, if thy presence cheer the soul,
And grace her mean abode,

O with what peace, and joy, and love,
She communes with her God!

4 Author and Guardian of my life,
Thou source of light divine!
And, all harmonious names in one,
My Father!-thou art mine!

5 What thanks I owe thee, and what love,— A boundless, endless store,

Shall echo through the realms above,
When time shall be no more!

HYMN CCXXVII. C. M.

Self-examination for the evening.

1 Another day of life is gone;

A doubtful few remain;

Review, my soul, what thou hast done,
Eternal life to gain.

2 Dost thou get forward in thy race,

7?

As time still posts away!

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