CCLVI. C. M. NEW SELEC. Means ineffectual. LONG have I seem'd to serve thee,Lord, Fasted, and pray'd, and read thy word, 2 I rested in the outward law, 3 To please thee thus, at length, I see, For what are outward things to thee, 4 But, I of means have made my boast. The spirit in the letter lost, The substance in the shade. 5 Where am I now, or what my hope? CCLVII. C. M. NEW SELEC. 'Tis good to be afflicted. Psalm cxix. 67, 71. 1 THY people, Lord, have, ever found 'Tis good to bear thy rod; Afflictions make us learn thy will, And live upon our God. 2 This is the comfort we enjoy, We read thy word, we run thy way, 3 Thy judgments, Lord, are always right, 4 Before we knew thy chastening rod, The World a maze. ORD! what a wretched land is this, No cheering fruits, no wholesome trees, 2 But piercing thorns, through all the ground. 3 Yet the dear path to thine abode, 4 Our journey is a thorny maze, 5 See the kind angels, at the gates, There Jesus the Forerunner waits CCLIX. S. M. WATTS Imputed Righteousness. BLESSED souls are they, Whose sins are cover'd o'er! Divinely blest, to whom the Lord Imputes their guilt no more! 2 They mourn their follies past, Their hearts are kept with care; Their lips and lives without deceit, Shall prove their faith sincere. 3. While I conceal'd my guilt, I felt the fest'ring wound; Till I confess'd my sins to thee, And ready pardon found. 4 Let mourners learn to pray, Let saints keep near the thrones For help in times of deep distress Is found in God alone. Ο CCLX. C. M. NEW SELEĠ. The backslider returning. And now without his smiles I lie, 2 Once I enjoy'd his smiling face : Who could have thought-so soon I should go mourning in distress! My comforts all be gone! 3 Not all the glories of this earth My soul abhors all carnal mirth, 4 Might I but see his face again, And own how guilty I have been 5 Then I would clasp him in my arms, And earth, with all her treach'rous charms, For ever should depart. CCLXI. C. M. NEW SELEC. Two natures in one Believer. Gal. v. 17. ALAS! it is a thorny road That I am call'd to tread; And traps and snares through all the way For travellers are laid. 2 The flatt'ring world and tempting foe And worse than all, my evil heart 3 I daily feel this awful truth, Old nature's still the same; Nor will its vile affections die While flesh and blood remain. + Then what but rich, almighty grace From running into ev'ry vice 5 This grace, (rejoice my helpless soul,) And Jesus saith, it shall sustain 6 Forget not, O my soul, thy God R 1 And thro' his strength, thou shalt o'ercome, And triumph in the end. CCLXII. C. M. NEW SELEC. Living, Moving, and Acting, all from God. ORD, what is man! that child of pride, That boasts his high degree? L If left one moment to himself 2 In thee I live, and move, and am, 3 To thee I come, from thee I am, 4 This noble and immortal soul And through thy grace, this soul shall breathe Immortal praise to thee. CCLXII. 148th. NEW SELEC. Hoping against Hope. Rom. iv. 18—21. REAT God! to thee I'll make GR My griefs and sorrows known; 2 To thee, who by a word, My drooping soul canst cheer, And by thy Spirit form Thy glorious image there |