5 Doth secret mischief lurk within? Freedom from Error, Guilt, and Folly. 1 BLEST Instructer! from thy ways, A Penitential Hymn. 1 GOD of mercy! God of love! 2 Deep regret for follies past, 3 Foolish fears and fond desires, 5 God of mercy! God of grace! Supplication to the Searcher of Hearts. 1 SEARCHER of hearts! my thoughts review; With kind severity pursue Through each disguise thy servant's mind, 2 What is my state? My soul, awake, Does no dark sign, no ground of fear, 3 What image does my spirit bear? In thought, and word, and action shine ?? 4 Searcher of hearts! O search me still ; The secrets of my soul reveal: My fears removed, let me appear To God and my own conscience clear. 5 Scatter the clouds that o'er my head Their dubious gloom and terror spread; Lead me into celestial day, And to myself, myself display. 215. C. M. Inconstancy in the Christian life lamented. 1 PERPETUAL Source of light and grace! 2 On us, unworthy as we are, 3 Inconstant service we repay, And treacherous vows renew; 4 Low at thy feet our guilt we mourn, 5 Armed with this energy divine, 6 So, by thy power, the morning sun Brightens each moment in his race, 216. L. M. Contrite Supplication. Ps. li 1 PITY, dread Sovereign! and forgive : Let a repenting rebel live: Are not thy mercies large and free? May not the contrite trust in thee? 2 My sins, though great, cannot surpass The power and glory of thy grace; Great God! thy nature hath no bound, So let thy pardoning love be found. 3 O wash my soul from every stain, Nor let the guilt I mourn, remain : Here on my heart the burden lies, And past offences pain my eyes. 4 With shame my numerous sins I trace Against thy law, against thy grace: And though my prayer thou shouldst not hear, My doom is just, and thou art clear. 5 Yet save a penitent, O Lord! 1 Whose hope, still hovering round thy word, 217. S. M. Absence from God. O THOU, whose mercy hears Contrition's humble sigh; Whose hand, indulgent, wipes the tear 2 Before thy throne of grace, 3 Absent from thee, my light! Through dangers, fears, and gloomy night,. 4 On this benighted heart 5 Thy presence can bestow Hope in the Divine Mercy. 1 WHEN rising from the bed of death, I see my Maker face to face,- 2 If yet, while pardon may be found, My heart with inward horror shrinks, 3 When thou, O Lord! shalt stand disclosed' In majesty severe, And sit in judgment on my soul, O how shall I appear! 4 Then let thy pardoning love arise On my benighted soul ! |