Hymns and Spiritual Songs eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 211 pages of information about Hymns and Spiritual Songs.

Hymns and Spiritual Songs eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 211 pages of information about Hymns and Spiritual Songs.

Hymn 2:160. 
Custom in sin.

1 Let the wild leopards of the wood
Put off the spots that nature gives,
Then may the wicked turn to God,
And change their tempers and their lives.

2 As well might Ethiopian slaves Wash out the darkness of their skin; The dead as well might leave their graves, As old transgressors cease to sin.

3 Where vice has held its empire long
’Twill not endure the least control;
None but a power divinely strong
Can turn the current of the soul.

4 Great God, I own thy power divine, That works to change this heart of mine; I would be form’d anew, and bless The wonders of creating grace.

Hymn 2:161. 
Christian virtues; or, The
difficulty of conversion.

1 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 humbled, pride abas’d,
Lest they destroy our souls.

4 The love of gold be banish’d hence,
(That vile idolatry);
And every member, every sense
In sweet subjection lie.]

5 The tongue, that most unruly power,
Requires a strong restraint;
We must be watchful every 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 2:162
Meditation of heaven;
or, The joy of faith.

1 My thoughts surmount these lower skies
And look within the veil;
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 the pains 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.

Hymn 2:163. 
Complaint of desertion and temptations.

1 Dear Lord, behold our sore distress;
Our sins attempt to reign;
Stretch out thine arm of conquering grace,
And let thy foes be slain.

2 [The lion with his dreadful roar
Affrights thy feeble sheep;
Reveal the glory of thy power,
And chain him to the deep.

3 Must we indulge a long despair,
Shall our petitions die;
Our mournings never reach thine ear,
Nor tears affect thine eye?]

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
Hymns and Spiritual Songs from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.