194 HYMNS.CLItIIÌ. CLIX. CLX. CLXI. CLXII. [Book IT. Thus did our dearest Lord engage And vanquish him alone. 3 Now he appears almost divine, Like innocence and love ; But the old serpent lurks within, When he assumes the dove. 4 Fly from the false deceiver's tongue, Ye sons of Adam fly: Ourparents;found the snare too strong, Nor should the children try. HYMN CLVIII. (L. M.) Few saved : or, The almost christian, the hypocrite, and apostate. I BROAD is the road that leadsto death, And thousands walk together there; But wisdom shews a narrower ath, With here and there a traveller. 2 " Deny thyself and take thy cross," Is the Redeemer's great command ! Nature mustcount here gold but dross, If she would gain this heav'nly land. 3 The fearful soul that tires and faints, And walks the ways of God no more, Is but esteem'd almost a saint, And makes his own destruction sure. 4 Lord, let not all my hopes be vain, Create my heart entirely new ; Which hypocrites could ne'er attain, Which false apostates never knew. HYMN CLIX. (C. M.) An unconverted state : or, converting grace. I [GREAT Ring of glory and of grace! We own, with humble shame, How vile is our degen'raterace, And our first father's name.] 2 From Adam flows our tainted blood, The poison reigns within, Makes us averse to ill that's good, And willing slaves to sin. 3 [Daily we break thy holy laws, And then reject thy grace.; Engag'd in the old serpent's cause, Against our Maker's face.] 4 We live estrang'd afar from God, And love the distance well; With haste be run the dangerous road, That leads to death and hell. a And Can such rebels be restor'd ! Such natures made divine ! Let sinners see thy glory, Lord, And feel this pow'r of thine. 6 We raise our Father's name on high, Who his ow spirit sends To bring rebellious strangers nigh, And turn his foes to friends. . HYMN CLX. (L. M. Custo,n its sia. 1 LET the wild leopards of the wood Put off the spots that nature gives, Then may the wick'd turn to God, And change theirten:persand their lives 2 As well might Ethiopian slaves Was out the darkness of their skin ; The deadas well may leavetheir graves As old transgressors cease to sin. 3 Where vice has held its empire long, 'Twill not endure the least control ; None but a pow'r divinely strong Can turn the current of the soul. 4 Great God! I òwn thy power divine, Thatworks to change this heart of mine; I would be form'd anew, and bless The wonders of creating grace. HYMN. CLXI. (C. M.) Christian virtues: or, The difficulty of conversion. i STRAIT is the way, the door is strait, That leads to joys on high ; 'Tis but a few that find the gate, While crowds mistake and die. 2 Beloved, self must be deny'd, The mind and will renew'd, Passion suppress'd, and patience try'd, And vain desires subdu'd. 3 [Flesh is a dangerous foe to grace, Where it prevails and rules ; Flesh must be humbl'd, pride abas'd ; Lest they destroy our souls. 4 The love of gold be banish'd hence, (That vile idolatry) And ev'ry member, ev'ry sense In sweet subjection lie.] 5 The tongue, that gust unruly pow'r, Requires a strong restraint We must be watchful ev'ry hour, And pray, but never faint, 6 Lord! Can a feeble helpless worm Fulfil a task so, hard? - Thy grace must all my work perform, And give the free reward. HYMN CLXII. (C. M.) Meditation of heaven: or, The joy of faith. 1 MY thoughts surmount these lower And look within the veil ; [skies, There springs 'of endless pleasure rise, The waters never fail. 2 There I behold , with sweet delight, The blessed Three in One ; And strong affections fix my sight On God's incarnate Son. 3 His promise stands for ever firm, His grace shall ne'er depart ; He binds my name upon his arm, And seals it on his heart. 4 Light are thepains that nature brings; How short our sorrows are, When with eternal, future things, The present we compare ! 5 I would not be a stranger still To that celestial place, Where I for ever hope to dwell Near my Redeemer's face.
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