BOOK IV.

HYMNS RESPECTING THE DUTIES AND TRIALS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.

227.

The Christian's Character and Prospect.
Tit. ii. 10-13.

1

So let our lips and lives express
The holy gospel we profess;
So let our works and virtues shine,
To prove the doctrine all divine.

2

Thus shall we best proclaim abroad
The honours of our gracious God;
When his salvation reigns within,
And grace subdues the power of sin.

3

Our flesh and sense must be denied,
Passion and envy, lust and pride;
While justice, temperance, truth, and love,
Our inward piety approve.

4

Religion bears our spirits up,
While we expect that blessed hope,
The bright appearance of our Lord,

And faith stands leaning on his word.

228.

Living habitually in the fear of God.

1

THRICE happy men, whose home is heaven,
While yet they sojourn here!
Each day they with their God begin,
And spend it in his fear.

2

Midst hourly cares, may love present
Its incense to thy throne;

And, while the world our hands employs,
Our hearts be thine alone.

3

As sanctified to noblest ends,
Be each refreshment sought;
And by each various providence
Some wise instruction brought.

4

When to laborious duty call'd,
Or by temptation tried,
We'll seek the shelter of thy power,
And in thy strength confide.

5

As different scenes of life arise,
Our grateful hearts would be
With thee amidst the social band,
In solitude with thee.

6

In solid pure delights like these,
Let all our days be past,
Nor shall we then impatient wish,
Nor shall we fear, the last.

229.

The Duties of Piety.

1

My soul! before thy Maker bow;
His wondrous works admire,

Till reverence and religious awe
Thine inmost thoughts inspire.
2

With humble trust dismiss thy cares,
And on his love depend;
Leave him to manage thine affairs;
To him thyself commend.

3

Let high esteem affection raise;
Devotion warm thy breast;
Let thankful love excite thy praise;
In him alone be blest.

4

To him thy solemn homage pay;
His constant aid implore;
Give thanks for mercies every day,
And thus prepare for more.

Without reserve to him submit;
All his commands fulfil;
Acknowledge all his dealings fit,
Nor e'er oppose his will.

230.

Imitation of God.

1

GREAT God! thy matchless excellence
Let all created nature own;

Deep on our minds impress the sense
Of glories which are thine alone.

2

Let these our admiration raise,

And fill us with religious awe :

Tune all our hearts and tongues to praise,

And bend us to thy holy law.

3

But where we may resemble thee,
And in thy perfect nature share,
Thy humble followers let us be,
And somewhat of thy likeness bear.

4

Pure may we be; averse from sin;
Just, holy, merciful, and true;
And let thine image, form'd within,
Shine out in all we speak and do.

231.

The Power of Faith.

1

FAITH adds new charms to earthly bliss, And saves us from its snares;

Its aid in every duty brings,

And softens all our cares.

2

The wounded conscience knows its power,
The healing balm to give ;

That balm the saddest heart can cheer,
And make the dying live.

3

Wide it unveils the heavenly state,
Where bliss will ever reign;
And bids us seek our portion there;
Nor bids us seek in vain.

4

On that bright prospect may we rest,
Till this frail body dies;

And then, on faith's triumphant wings,

To endless glory rise.

232.

Faith the Support of Hope and Fortitude.

1

FAITH is the lively evidence

Of things unseen by mortal eyes;
It passes all the bounds of sense,
And penetrates the inmost skies.

2

With strong persuasion, from afar
The heavenly regions it surveys;
Embraces all the blessings there,
And here enjoys the promises.

3

By faith our steady course we steer, Through ruffling storms and raging seas; Renew our strength, subdue our fear, And still possess our souls in peace.

4

By this we pass the desert through,
Safe and serene, though oft distrest;
By this the king of fears subdue,
And go rejoicing to our rest.

233.

The Characters of True Faith.

1

MISTAKEN Souls, that dream of heaven,
And claim celestial birth-
That tell of joys, and sins forgiven,
While still enslav'd to earth.

2

Vain are our hopes, or high delights,
If faith be cold and dead;

A living faith alone unites
To Christ the living Head.

The faith that purifies the heart,
The faith that works by love-
This to the soul will life impart,
And fix its hopes above.

4

The faith which conquers earth and hell
By its celestial power—

This is the grace that shall prevail

In the decisive hour.