FROM THE LIBRARY OF REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D. BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO THE LIBRARY OF PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY SCJK ityn f Sect ion SONGS W IN THE NIGH t-j BY A YOUNG WOMAN, UNDER HEAVY AFFLICTIONS. First American, from the Fourth London, Edition | with a supplement. ^Ch <«h <<* S=h ^ 0> " Who giveth Songs in the Night. "—-job xxxv. j^« £ * E T E R : Printed by Henry Ranlet, for Angier March^ Bookseller, Newburyport, 1802, PREFACE TO THE F I R ST EDITION, SUFFICE it to fay of this Publication that the Author of it is a very obfcure young woman, and quite deftitute of the advantages of education, as well as under great bodily affliction. Her father dying when She was young, and leaving a large fa- mily unprovided for, She went out to fervice at fixteen years of age ; in which ftation She continued till Auguft, 1772 ; wljen diforders feized Her, which- ever fmce have baffled the power of medicine and the Ikill of phyficians. — But God, who is rich in mercy, was pleafed, in love to Her foul, at the beginning of the affliction, marveloufly to manifeft Himfelf unto Her ; and has been inftructing Her from that time in the things pertaining to His kingdom and the righteoufnefs thereof, as the following poetic per- formances, which are printed from the Author's own hand writing (who, by the way, learnt Herself to write), do in fome meafure witnefs. But, fuch is Her modefty, they would never have appeared to the world in Her life-time, if it had sot been, that fome months 'ago She thought She IV PREFACE. was actually in dying circumftances ; She therefore committed them to the care of the Editor, charging him to let none fee them, till after Her deceafe. — But as She appears now much more likely to live than at the beginning of Her affliction (though without any profpect of ever being able to earn Her bread), he could not be eafy to let them lay by him any longer, " hid up in a napkin ;" thinking, that the talent was given Her to profit withal, and that they might, under the blefling of the Moft High, be of fome ufe to others, more efpecially to the fons and daughters of affliction. The Reader may depend upon it, if there mould be any profit arife from the fale thereof, it will be faithfully applied to the AuthoVs ufe. That the blefling of Him " who giveth Songs in the Night" may make it profitable to thofe who are training up, in the fchool of affliction on Earth, for fioging the fong of Mofes and the Lamb in Hear- ven, is the fervent prayer of The EDITOR. IPSWICH, JAN. 6, 178© THE LATE REV. DR. CONDER'S RECOMMENDATION TO THE SECOND EDITION, "''?$'' THESE little fonnets, called—" Songs Night, " — now pafs under a fecond edition : — fufncient is faid in the preface to the firlt, as to the fituation and affecting circum fiances of the Compofer of them ; the truth of which account I have thoroughly informed myfelf of ; and do aiTure the Public, She has no certainty of a tolerable fup- port under Her ill (rate of health, but from the donation of Her friends, and the advantage She may reap from this further publication : — fo that Her cafe is truly deferving all charitable regard ; an d 3 as.fuch, I fmcerely recommend it. And, befides this, without fearing cenfure, I think thefe little Productions deferve to be recom- mended to the candid, and even curious, Reader, as a pleafmg entertainment for fuch to obferve, what may be the efforts of uncultivated genius, connected with a true fpirit of piety. — I am "fenfible there may A2 VI RECOMMENDATION. be feveral occafional efcapes, as to Her language, grammar, and other ornaments of exact writing, as well as fome inftances of Her country phrafeology ; which, however, it has been judged proper to let Hand, as coming from Her pen, rather than at- tempt corrections in thofe particulars. Neverthe- lefs, I am free to own, that I have been greatly pleafed with Her uniformity of fentiment, the pro- priety with which She ufeth words lefs common, and the general fmoothnefs of Her verification. And, as to the pious Reader, I flatter myfelf fuch will be entertained profitably and pleafantly, with- out any thing more being faid, than that the whole jfeems to breath a true fpirit of fublime devotion, «.nd the fubjec"t. matter is highly evangelical, — A fit companion for the clofet to thofe whofe circumstan- ces in life do not admit of much reading befides the bible. Her modefty alfo has been fo remarkable, that the Editor of the firft edition with great difficulty gained Her confent to their feeing the light, with- out giving Her name, which he could not obtain : but, as it is an indulgence to the curiofiity of fome Readers to know who is the Writer, in this fecond edition She has gratified her friends, by drawing up the following acroftic : *m RECOMMENDATION. Vll S hall I prefume to tell the world my name ? — i U p to this hour I glory in my fhame ! — S o great my weaknefs, that I boaft of might ; A fool in knowledge, yet in wifdom right ; N o life, and yet I live ; I'm fick, and well ; N ot far from Heav'n, though on the brink of hell A nd words, and oaths, and blood delight me welL H ow flrange ! I'm deaf,and dumb, and lame, and blind ? A nd hear, and fee, and walk, and talk, you findi R obb'd of my deareft Friend I'm truly poor, R iches immenfe I always have in ftore ; I 'm fed by mortals ; but, let mortals know,. S uch is my food, no mortal can beftow : O h ! how I long to die, and wifli to live ! — N ow, if you can, explain th' account I give. Upon the whole, as I am perfuaded Her chief defire, by this publication, is to affifl the plain chrif- tian in maintaining, and making progrefs in the divine life ; fo I fincerely pray, that the bleffing of " The God of all Grace" may eminently fucceed Her well-meant eadeavour ! JOHN CQNDER, HACKNEY, MARCH 13, 1781. AN ALPHABETICAL TABLE OF THE FIRST LINES. PAGE. AL L Glory belongs to Jefus alone, 65 Am I indeed born from above ? 50 Arife, my foul, to Jefus fly, 79 Attend, my foul, and trembling hear, 20 Awake, my heart, my foul, arife ! 5 Away my doubts, begone my fear, 76 Begone my worldly cares, away ! 4 Behold, He comes, the Saviour comes, 33 Be merciful, O God, to me, $6 Bring all the brutifh and unwise 94 By holineis and watchful care, 41 Chaften'd I am from day to day 104 Chriftian, wouldft thou in grace excel, 46 Come, each defponding, drooping foul, 59 Come, O my doubting foul, attend, 57 Come, view the field of love divine, 1 1 Condemn me not, mod gracious God, 26 Deceivers will affect t' appear 44 'Gainft Thee, Thou Holy, Juft, and Wife, 1 15 God and His law are my delight, 25 God of my days, God of my nights, 4 Gcod news tftefe bleffed words impart 15 Grace will to every duty bind, 47 Hafte that delightful, awful day 87 Hear this, ye fav'rites of the Lord, 128 High in the Heavens doth God refide, 39 How are my powers all tun'd to mourn 90 How oft doth beauty lead to fm, 122 How fhould the morning of my days 3 TABLE. IX How fuitable this word to me, 97 I fear the God of Heaven and Earth, 23 I languish for a fight 73 I, Jefus, am afcended high, 120 In this extreme diilrefs of foul, 93 Is this Thy will, and mud I be 136 Is this unpleaiing cup now given 101 Is Jefus evermore the fame ? 1 2 I think my table richly fpread,. no Jefus exalts His fav'riles high 1 14 Jefus, I now addrefs Thy throne, 127 Jefus, my Advocate and King, 91 Jefus, my Hiding phice Thou art, 96 Jefus my mourning foul doth lead, ic6 Jefus, the Great, the Mighty God, 18 Jefus, Thou God of nations, bend 125 Jefus, Thy love is ftill my theme, 75 Jefus, when I can fee Thy face, 103 Let all my anxious cares be gone, 37 Let all the heavenly hofls- .rejoice, 65 Let me adore His bound! efs grace, 6 Let me lie pro-lrate on the ground, 92 Let not the learned and the wife 2 1 Let others, wrapt in felf-conceit, 35 Let praife employ my heart and tongue : 1 8 Like Enoch I would feek to be, 133 Look, O my foul, within the veil, 1 1 8 Look unto Me, the Saviour cries, 36 Lord, can a helplefs worm, like me, 60 Lord, captivate my every thought, 45 Lord, I confefs my guilt and fname, 61 Lord, is not this my own defire, 51 Lord, is it not my foul's defne 67 Lord, fearch and try this heart of mine, 19 Lord 'tis enough, at length I own 62 Lord, what am I without Thy love ? 53 jfMy God, for I can call Thee mine, 109 1 My God, how reftlefs is my mind ! 80 My life declines, my ftrength is gone, 83 My foul, what doft thou here ! nl X TABLE.- No man nor angel can compare 74- No more of works I Vainly boaft, 63. Now have I fpent in fighs and tears 88 Now let me from this world retire, 133 Now let my faith grow ftrong, and plead 67 Now let my faith look through her fears 8 Now let my foul adore and praife 131 Now may the God of boundlefs grace, 1 3 Now {hall my foul adore the grace 105 Now, whilft I try my heart, 45 O could I find fome peaceful bower 1-19 O could I to jerus'iem p-o, 82 Gf rea I hear, of reft I Talk, 85 Often, Great God, I've heard of Thee y 22 Oft has my foul in fecret blefs'd 29 O God, how mournful is my cafe ! 99 O happy fouls that love the Lord, 13 O let Jehovah's libVal hand 121 O let me lay my anger by ,^53 O foul-reviving word, 38 O Thou, who- fnmTc in bright abode, 2 O what a vain and empty world is this ! 86 Rapid my days and months run on, _ 1 R.emcmber me, Thou great I Am, 134 Riches immenfe are in Thy hand, J 6 Salvation's work is done, 32 Say,, is this wild, corrupted nation 123 Shew me the foul to doubts expos'd 15 Tell me no more of earthly toys, 3 12 Thee will I love, ray deareft Lord, 75 The Lord of Lords, and King of Kings -J 13 The rain defcends, the tempeiis rife, 33 The Tri-une God above, 31 Thine anger, Lord, how fhort the ftay, 58 This bleffing, Lord, to me impart 40 This promife is to finners made, 49 This wretched heart will ftill backflide, 54 Thou art acquainted with my heart, 60 ' Though I of finners am the chief, 107 Thou God of Juft'lce and of grace* 2 7 TABLE. XI ^Tis my Beloved's awful voice ; 132 "To God I'd feek in each diftrefs 100 'To Him that brought falvation nigh 32 To Him, to Him whofe love hath wrought 17 To Thee, again my gracious God, 126 To Thee, my God, I make my moan, 98 ^To us, to us a Child is. born, 7 Tremble, my foul, fall down before 3° Turn, O my foul, from Mofes turn, 35 Unfertile, intricate, and ltrange, 7° Well may I groan beneath Thy ftroke 28 What ails this vile, deceitful heart ? 7 2 When will my fweet releafe be fign'd, 84 Where is the underftanding heart 40 Where fhall I go but to my Lord, 81 Who is this heavenly perfon, who 78 Why does this room io often prove 130 Why, Jonah, does thine anger rife ? 69 Why, O my foul, thefe' gloomy fears i 64 Why fhould the dread of fmful man 42 Why thus caft down, my foul ? 102 Will God be men.iful to me, $$ Without the aid of fovereign grace , 127 Ye highly favor'd, who profefs 52 m e b 1 t k r 1 o m s. TB'it why, my foal, fo much difpos'd to grieve I 145 -Come, Jefus, Thoa Defire of Nations, come ! 163 How adive, O how num'rous are my thoughts ! 161 How did the heavenly multitude rejoice 137 I thank Thee, O my Father and my God, 140 O bleffed words, and welcome to my foul ! 160 O folemn thought! Weak man is born to die ; 141 The time is fhort : how awful is the found ! 143 Thus the apoftles pray'd : and, O my foul, 159 Up to th J eternal hills I lift my eyes, 15 5 What manly courage, what undaunted zeal 157 "While I am calPd to reafon, Lord, with Thee, 349 Who would not fear Thee ? O Thou King of Saints ? 153 Xlt T A B L E. Why am I not confign'd to endlefs woe ? i 39! Why, fin, haft thou deprav'd my nature thus ? 147 With Thee, Thou great I Am, Thou Juftand Wife, 155 SUPPLEMENT. behold the man ! how humble is his mind ! 176 But why did Martha take this load 174 Chriftian, examine well thy mind ; 172 Did Jofhua folemnly record 178 How welcome is this news 167 Is God my Father and my Friend ? 171 Jefus, my Saviour and my Lord, 173 Lord, help me to come near thy feat, 186 Lord, I'm a faint, a feeble worm, 169 Lord, in Thy mercy I rejoice, 165 Madam, I now return your little book, 180 O what are all the beft defigns 185 Take courage, O my foul ! afid reft 166 Thanks to Thy name, Thou God of love, 168 The garment that you gave me I admire, ijc The law of God is Juft, 170 'iShus Ruth receiv'd the kindnefs of her friend, 18' 5 Tis with a grateful view I now retire, 1 8 &** >*'■ - SONGS I N THE NIGHT. I. KEW-YEAR. S TJ APID my days and months run on, J\. How foon another year is gone ! How fwift my golden moments roll, How much neglected by. my foul S 2 Let me begin with holy fear This new, this fleeting, flying year ; Too many unimprov'd have pa-fs'd. This year, perhaps, may be my laft. 3 Give me, Great God, an heart to pray 5 Let all old things be done away ; Give me new ftrength to conquer fm 3 And plant new holinefs within. 4 I afk new wifdom for this year, New fitnefs for my trials here 5 Of every grace a richer (lore, My God to love and honor more; 5 -This year, O fheath war's direful fword ! Let every nation ferve the Lord 3 Vifit Thy church, and may fire bear Much glorious fruit this bleHed year, B SONGS IN THE NIGHT, I I. TAST-DAY, FEB. 27, I 778. 1 O TH0U » who fhin,ft in brI s ht abode * V_/ Ineffable In glory, God ! Angels Thy Majefty adore, And devils tremble at Thy power. 2 O Thou, mod holy, wife, fupreme, Juft to revenge, ftrong to redeem ! Enlarge our hearts before Thy throne, While o'er a guilty land we mourn. 3 A land of violence and ftrife, Regardlefs of a peaceful life ; A land whofe guilt for vengeance cries, Full of oppreffion, vice, ajn'd lies, 4 Thou, whofe condefcending grace Shines glorious in a Saviour's Face, Now, for His fake, bow down Thine ear* Avert the Judgments that we fear. 5 O Thou, whofe goodnefs we've abus'dj Whofe love and mercy we've refus'd, Guilty before Thy face we ftand, And aik forgivenefs at Thine hand. 6 O Thou whofe wifdom's all divine ; No counfel ftands fo firm as Thine ; Thou God of order and of peace Command this dreadful war to ceafq. 7 Bring the contending parties near, And reconcile us in Thy fear ; That we may yet fecurely reft, A nation by Jehovah bleft. S0N6S IN THE NIGHT. I I 1 A MORNING HYMN. In ike morning will 1 dirctt my prayer unto Thee, and will lock up—?s. v. 3. 1 T T OW mould the morning of my days JLJl Be fpent in humble prayer and praife, To Him who gave me life and breath, And ftill preferves my foul from death. 2 God has from ileep reftor'd my fight, I'll praife Him for the morning light; For His protecting grace I'll pray, To guard and keep me all the day. 3 I'll flill refolve to feek His face, And praife Kim for redeeming grace ; I love His name, I love His word, I love to commune with the Lord. 4 Up to His throne I'll lift my eyes, He will regard my early cries : He will not frown my foul away, He loves to hear His children pray. 5 To Him I'll dedicate my days, Then fhall I profper in my ways : And whilft my calling I purfue His praife mall terminate my view. f> O may His condefcending love Still draw my heart to things above ; That I among His faints may know The joys of Heav'n begun below. SONCS IN THE N1C1IT, 1 V. AN EVENING HYMN. Send out Thy light and Thy trutk.-—ps, xliii. 3, 1 f~y OD of my days, God of my nights, VJJ" Source of my foul's fupreme delights. Come, manifcft Thy love to me, And let me clofe this day with Thee. 2 Nearnefs to Chrift I fain would find, let not diftance vex my mind : 1 long to know my fins forgiven, To converfe with the God of Heaven. 3 Send, Source of Light, fome cheering ray To turn my darknefs into day ; I mourn, and think Thy abfence long, O liften to my evening, fong-.' 4 Command my blindnefs to depart; Still keep me from a carelefs heait : Lord captivate each vain'defire, And raife thefe vile affections higher. 5 O let the mercies of this day Teach me to praife as well as pray : Now take, my foul, on Jems' breaft, Thy fefeft, fweeteft, fureA reft. B EGONE my worldly cares, away ! Nor dare to tempt my fight 3 SONGS IN THE NIGHT, Let me begin th' enfuing day Before I end this night. 2 Yes, let the work of prayer and praife Employ my heart and tongue ; Begin my foul ! — Thy fabbath days Can never be too long. 3 Let the paft mercies of the week Excite a grateful frame : Nor let my tongue refufe to fpeak Some good of Jems' name. 4 Jefus ! — How pleafmg is the found t How worthy of my love ! — Why is my heart fo lifelefs found ; Why plac'd no more above ? 5 Forgive my dulnefs, deareft Lord, And quicken all my powers ; Prepare me to attend Thy word, T' improve the facred hours. 6 On wings of expectation borne, My hopes to heaven afcend : I long to welcome in the morn, With Thee the day to fpend. — >ex>fN-e* — v I. lord's day morning. I A W A K E my heart ! my foul, arife ! JLjL This is the day believers prize ; Improve this fabbath then with care : Another may not be thy (hare. B 2 SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 2 O folemn thought !— 'Lord give me pow'r Wifely to fill up every hour : O for the wings of faith and love To bear my heart and foul above I 3 Jefus, aflift, nor let me fail To worfhip thee within the veil ; To glorify Thy matchlefs grace, To fee the beauties of Thy face. 4 Go with me to Thy houfe to-day, And tune my heart to praife and pray ; Like dew command Thy word to fall> Refrefbing, quick'ning, faving all. 5 Call forth my thoughts, and let them rove O'er the green paftures of Thy love 5 O let not iin prevent my reft, Nor keep me from my Saviour's breaft. Give to Thy church a large increafe. Send her profperity and peace ; May all the faints in Zion fay, O happy* happy, happy day I — >€>%>©< — v 1 1. lord's-day evening. 1 X E T me adore His boundlefs grace : JL4 His condefcenfion, and His love : Which taught my foul to feek His face, And drew my heart to things above* SONGS IN THE NIGHT, 2 Fain would I fing, and praife the Lord, Oft has He blefs'd me in His houfe ; Fain would I live upon His word, And keep my oft-repeated vows. 3 Yet would I mourn, with confcious fhame, What fin my holieft duties ftain : My beft performances are lame, And all without the atonement vain. 4 Chrift's righteoufnefs alone I plead, And caft my offerings at His feet ;. His merits muft for me fucceed, Through Him acceptance I fhall meet. 5 Thanks to His name, His cov'nant love Remains unalterably ftrong : I fhall His great falvation prove, He, is my light, my life, my fong, 6 My heart is now His bleft abode, T love His ways, His name revere j Soon fhall I mount the hill of God, To fpend an endlefs fabbath there. TT^VfiW* — VIII. Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the gov- ernment shall be upon his shoulder : and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Ever- lasting Father ', the Prince 0/ Peace. — isa. ix. 6. 5 rr-i O us, to us a Child is born, X Arife and hail the glorious morn ! 8 SONGS IN THE NIGHT, Come, let us praife the God of Heav'n, To us, to us a Son is giv'n ! 2 To us, the guilty race of man, He comes ! — an Infant of a fpan • O let us fmg His wond'rous love, Which brings falvation from above, 3 He comes, all potent, to fuftain In government an endlefs name. Sinners, rejoice and fpread His fame, In Counsel Wonderful His name. 4 The Mighty God — The Prince of Peace, Whofe kingdom never (hall decreafe : The Everlasting Father's come — How ftrange ! — A fervant — from the womb ! 5 With angels let our fouls adore The Virgin's Son — the Prince of Power ; Jefus ! with praife infpire our tongues, And then aecept our grateful fongs. 6 All praife to God for grace divine ! The hymn let faints and feraphs join ; Let Heaven with hallelujahs ring While we adore our new-born King. i x. THOUGHTS AT THE LORd's-TAELE. i VT"OW let my faith look through ker fears JlN And view my deareft Lord, Groaning in agonies and tears, That I might be reftor'd, SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 2 Methinks I fee the thorny bands That tore His facred head, His pierced fide, His wounded hands, With blood His vefture red. 3 'Tis with a melting heart I view His body broke for fin ; That murderer my Saviour flew,. And put His foul to' pain. 4 For crimes and vices not His own A facrifice He fell ; For me, vile rebel, to atone, He bore the pangs of hell ! 5 For me His table noyr is fpread And each believing gueft, Richly fet forth with living bread, And wins of truth and grace.. $ Here peace and pardon fweetly flow ,z O what delightful food ! Here is a balm for all my woe, With every needful good.. 7 Here is a righteoufnefs divine,. And fin fubduing grace ; Here every bleffing meet and fhine In. my Redeemer's face. % Each was the purchafe of His blood,. For linners fuch as me : All glory to my dying God For grace fo rich and free. J© SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 9 'Twas His own love that fpread the feaft, 'Twas love that made Him die ; His love hath made my foul a gueft, And rais'd my thoughts on high. 10 Jefus, I blefs Thy facred name For favours fo divine : All that I have, and all I am, Shall be for ever Thine. Now the Cod of hope Jill you 7oith all joy and peace in believing. ---ROM. xv. 13. i VTOW may the God of boundlefs grace x\l The God of hope and love, Till each believing foul with peace,. And every doubt remove. ? Let the bright views of Jefus raife Our fongs divinely high ; And, while our tongues repeat His praife, Let grief ftand filent by. 3 Rejoice, ye fons of God, rejoice, And doubt His love no more ; Lift up your hearts, lift up your voice. And His rich grace adore. 4 Reft on His word, for ever reft And glory in His name ; He'll clothe the troublers of your bread With everlafting ihame. SONGS IN THE NIGHT* It 5 Beneath your feet He'll ftiortly tread The fubtle Tempter down ; 'Gainft you no weapon fhall fucceed While Jefus wears the crown. 6 Your hope and truft He'll ne'er deceive? Raiie, raife your voices higher ; O happy fouls, who thus believe ! He'll grant your whole defire. — x©-»fj$x2* — x i. Herein is love. — i john iv. io. 1 /^VOME, view the field of love divine, V> Where I delight to rove and glean, How pleafant to this foul of mine ! What fpices blow — what joys are feen I 2 I'm loft in admiration here, Is this the garden of my God ? What fragrant balm is that fo near ? 'Tis pardon fprinkled with rich blood. 3 Is this the manner of His love ? Did He, to fcreen my guilty head, Leave thofe celeftial joys above, To fuffer vengeance in my ftead ? 4 Methinks I fee the dreadful fword Plung'd in His body on the tree ; But why, O why, my deareft Lord, Why this extreme expence for me ? 5 Why this excruciating pain ? Why wilt Thou fuffer, bleed, and die ? IS. SONHeaven and Earth are pafs'd away, 6 But O how weak my faith appears, How prone to yield to doubts and fears \ Miftruftmg when I'm chang'd in frame, That Jefus is not ftill the fame ! 7 Why do I aft fo vile a part, And grieve my dear Redeemer's heart I Eftablifh, Lord, my waVring mind, And keep my unbelief confin'd. 8 O help my faith to foar above, To reft in Thine unchanging love ; Thy fakhfulnefs I now adore, Ne'er would I. grieve my Saviour more, XIII. / love t/iem that love Me, and those that stek Me early shall find Me.—FROV. viii. ij. t f\ HAPPY fouls that love the Lord, V-/ He will return you love for love % All needful grace he will afford To fuch as feek the joys above* C *4 SONGS IN" TII£ NIGHT, t They J n his kind protection fhare, He is their Father and their Friend> Jefus will foften all their care, And help in every trouble fend. 3 He views their graces with delight, He ftands engag'd to do them good ; Their fouls are precious in His fight, Bought with the price of His rich blood* 4 Who would not ferve fo kind a God ? Who would not learn to truft His name ? Who would not tremble at his rod, x And fly to hide them near the Lamb ? 5 O come and tafte His matchlefs love, Ye young in years come feek the Lord ? Afk, now, for wifdom from above, And God your wifhes will regard. 6 Your early cries mail pleafe Him well 9 O let not fin your fouls enfnare ;. Come, ftiun the paths of death and hell, - Religion's nobleft pleafures mare* 7 Jefus is worthy of your love, O let Him have your first regard ; Nor let your youthful paffions rove Till you can fay, you love the Lord. 8 So mall your growing years be bleft, The church ihall over you rejoice, Jefus himfelf ihall be your reft, While angels .glory in your cho> SONGS IN THE NIGHT. I5 X I V. Unto yen thai far My name, shall the Sun of Righteousness crisc xv itk healing in His zoings. MAL. iv. 2. 1 jT^ OOD news thefe bleiTed words impart Vjr To every humble, trembling heart j Good news to all that fear the Lord, To 7 all that truft His facredword. 2 Tidings of health, of peace, of joy, To thofe whom Satan's darts annoy : let my foul this news embrace, And wait the coming of His grace I 3 Jefus, the Sun of Righteoufnefs, Will rife and fcatter my diftrefs : 1 fnall behold the King of Kings, With health bright beaming from His wings, 4 One fmile from Him, like noon's difplay, Shall turn my darknefs into day ; One look of love from Him mail raife My doubts to faith, my prayer to praife, 5 He will arife, my fears affuage, And fhine in fpite of Satan's rage : Soon fhall I fee the glorious Son, And fmg the wonders he hath done. — Ke^-ex — X v. Ask, What I shall give thee. — 1 kings iii. $, •s HEW me the foul to doubts expos'd, (To fuch this qneftfon is propos'd) 1b SONGS IN THE NIGHT, Afk, faith the Lord, and let Me know What I fhall now on thee beftow. 2 Say, what thy wants, and what thy wos* ? Doft thou in Me thy truft repofe : Art thou my friend, fincerely true ? Speak— for thy fprings of thought I view. j Art thou to ferioufnefs inclined ? Afk and I'll folemnize thy mind. Doft thou want love to Jefus' name ? Afk, and His matchlefs love proclaim. 4 Doft thou want peace and pardon feaPd ? Aik, for they wait to be reveaPd. Doft thou want faith and holy fear ? Afk, and behold the bleflings near. ^5 Doft thou want ftrength 'gainft fin to fight Afk, and I'll make thee ftrong in might. Doft thou want light and life divine ? Afk, and eternal life is thine. 6 Wilt thou be made completely whole £ Afk, and I'll renovate thy foul, This inftant afk, arife, and pray, Nor lofe i'uch bleflings by delay. » XVI. But my God shall supply all your need according' to His riches in glory, by Christ Jesus. — villi., iv. 19. ICHES immenfe are in Thy hand, Thou God in whom I truft, In whom I live, by whom I ftand, Moil holy, wife, and juft. SONCS IN THE NIGHT. IJ t how extenfive Is Thy grace, How rich, how full, how free ! The needy Thou delight'ft to raife, I'll tell my wants to Thee. 3 I want to fear Thy facred name, I want to love Thee more ; I want to feel that heav'nly flame Which I have felt before. 4 I want to know myfelf aright* To hear what Jefus faith ; I want repentance in Thy fight* I want a ftronger £uth. 5 I want to have my foul refign'd Submiffive to Thy will ; I want a meek, an Irumble mind s I want my wants to feeL 6 I want a chafte and fmgle eye : Thy gracious ear incline ; From fulnefs infinite fuppiy This empty foul of mine. y Through Jefus let thefe bleffings hW* He bought them with His blood f Kow let a worthlefs finner know Thy promifes made good, — >e<@-ex — XVII. j *"T^ O Him, to Him whofe love hath wrought X More than I ever afk'd or thought j To him my powers afpire to raife A grateful fong of humble pfaife. C2 l8 SONGS IN THE NIGHT, 2 'Twas He that fought me from above, When quite a ftranger to His love ; When ruining blindfold down to Hell, He faw and caught me as I fell. 3 To Him, to Him be glory giv'n Who taught my foul the way to Heav'n j To Him be praife, through endlefs day, Who guides and keeps me in the way. 4 Praife Him, ye angels round the throne, Whofe blood did for my fins atone ; He is your glory and your boaft, Priafe Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft. XVI 1 I . ET praife employ my heart and tongue : Let grace, free grace, be all my fong, While life and breath remains : In this fweet work I love t' engage, And when I quit this earthly ftage, Hi fmg in nobler drains. — >e><~ * X I X. Learn of Me y for 1 am meek and lowly in heart. matt. xi. 29. x YFSUS, the Great, the Mighty God, 3 A Man of Griefs became ; In paths of meeknefs here He trod. And bore the fmner's fhame. SONGS IN THE IS 1GJIT, 2 Humility, how bright it fhin'd In every act. He wrought : What lowlinefs of heart and mind Appeared in all He taught, 3 Love to the human fallen race Glow'd in His tender breaft : For man He yielded to difgrace, Forfaken and diftreft. 4 Led as a lamb to meet the fword, He bow'd beneath the ftroke ; Not one revengeful, angry word The dear Redeemer ipoke. 5 O may His meeknefs be my guide, The pattern I purfue ; How can I bear revenge or pride With Jefus in my view ? — •oifl** 2 * — x x. Pride gocih before destruction.--? ROV . xvi. j8. i *F ORD, fearch and try this heart of mine, JLl Put every fin to death : I long to fee my pride refign Its penitential breath. 2 I dread its power, I hate its name, ' Its fad effects' I' fear : Extinguiih, Lord, this dang'rous flame, Nor let one fpark appear. 3 Hide it for ever from mine eyes, Its helliih rage controul ; 20 SONGS IN THE NIGHT, Left wrath definitive from the fki&s Cpnfumc my guilty foul. 4 In duft and afhes I would lie, As lefs, as worfe than nought, And mourn that fuch a wretch as I Should have one haughty thought, 5 Form, Lord, each motion of my heart Obedient to thy will ; In Thee the humble foul has part a My breaft let meeknefs fill. — *&$*& — XX 1* If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established, isa. vii. 9. 1 A TTENDmy foul, and trembling hear* JLA. This awful truth demands your fear ; Perfifting ftill to difbelieve, No hope nor grace can you receive. 2 Attend to what th' Eternal faith,. And pray inceifantly for faith ; Left, in an awful, haft'ning hour, You fall to be reftor'd no more. 3 Pray for that faith which ftands fincere, Which drives till death to perfevere ; That faith which treads the Tempter down, Which apprehends the heavenly crown. 4 That faith which gladdens all the heart, Cleaning the foul through every part ; That faith which ju (lilies, which draws The will t* obey Jehovah's laws. SOX GS IN THE NIGHT. £1 5 That faith which works infpir'd by love, Shed by the Spirit from above ; That faith which can the crofs fuftain, And fing in poverty and pain. 6 Faith which can Satan's fchemes deltroy,. And fill the foul with conftaut joy, Which fees its path in darkeft night, And keeps the heav'nly port in fight. 7 O precious faith ! — May I be found EftabliuYd on its happy ground : Inftruct me, Jefus, from above, And build me up in faith and love* 8 .Then let the rifmg billows roll, Faith is the anchor of my foul ; I'm well fecar'd on every fide, Fix'd firm in Chrift, my Rock, my Guide, x x 1 1 . Thus saitk the Lord j — Let not the wist man glory, in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might ; let not the rich man glory in his riches, but let him that glorietk, glory in this, that he under standeth and knGwetk Me, that 1 am the Lord. — jer. ix. 23, 24. 1 ET not the learned and the wife, JL-J Extol the wifdom of their minds, 'Tis folly in Jehovah's eyes, Whofe wifdom in perfection mines. 2 Let not the noble and the ftrong, Prefume to boaft their borrow'd might, ft 2 SONCS IN THE NIGHT, Left God, to whom all power belong, Their llubbora joints with weaknefs fmltc* 3 Let not the rich in pride grow bold, Or glory in their fading (tore ; Left God in anger ctirfe their gold,. And make their fouls forever poor. 4 Thus faith the Lord of all below, — " Let no one boaft before my throne*. " Except in this — He's taught to know " That I am God, and God alone !"" 5 Make this your glorying in His fight, That by His teaching you can trace The things in which His thoughts delight,. His truth, His juftice, and His grace. 6 To Him your impotence confefs, Mourn and lament your daily wrongs : And make His ftrength and righteoufnefs Your frequent and your joyful fongs. i [ l have heard of Tkee by the hearing of the ear, bat now mine eye seet'i Thee ; wherefore J abhor myfelf, and repent in dust and ashes.—.] ob. xlii. 5, 6. 1 /^X F T E N, Great God, I've heard of Thee, vJ' As righteous, juft, and wife ; But now Thy holinefs I fee, And fink in deep furprifc. a My foul with reverence adore, Hgw awful is the fight ! SONGS IN THE NIGH To $3 Let me prefume to fpeak no -more Of excellence fo bright. 3 Ten thoufand tongues in vain pretend To tell what Thou haft wrought ; God and His glorious works tranfcend The utmoft reach of thought. 4 Loft in the fearch, overwhelmed with fhame My conduct I review. : And felf-abhor'd, through Jefus' name, For pardon humbly fue. 5 My fad impatience I lament 5 How dare I to complain ! O could I fcreen my difcontent, Or call it back again ! 6 How could a fmful wretch prefume To murmur and repine : How juftly, Lord, might Thou confume This guilty foul of mine ! 7 Afham'd, I loath myfelf in dtift, Unholy and unclean : Thou, Lord, alone art good and juft, O pardon all my fin. ■ — <^m\ — XXIV. IV hat man is he that fevrclh the l.ordf—luin shall He _zach the xvay that He shall cheese. — v s„ xxv. 12. FEAR the God of Heaven and Earth, All fmful ways my foul reiufe ; 24 SONGS IN THE NIGHT. I fain would tread the narrow path, Lord, teach me in the way I chufe. 3 I chufe the way that leads to God, The way of holinefs and love ; The way of faith in Jefus' blood, Mark'd and appointed from above. 3 The prophets trod this holy ground, This is the road believers go : Th* apoftles in this way were found, I charge my foul to tread it too. 4 My weaknefs urges me to pray ; Lord guide my fteps, my path make plain, Conduct me in the heavenly 'way, Nor let me fupplicate in vain. 5 Now in the (trength of God I'll go, In hafte to reach that welcome more, Where all is happinefs — where woe, And fin,, and forrows are no more. 6 May Jefus own me in that day. As one belonging to His fold, Who held, through grace in wifdom's Way, Ordain'd His glory to behold. 7 The worthy Lamb that fhed His blood Shall then receive the higheft praife ; He brought my wand'ring foul to God Angels extol his fov'reign grace I SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 2$ XXV. Unless Thy law had been my delight , I should then have perish*. ed in mine qfflidion. — PS. cxix. q2. 1 /^i O D and. His law are my delighty V_T My glory and my fong j My fure fupport by day and night, The pleafure of my tongue. 2 When guilt purfues my troubled breaft* His word I will receive ; He tells me where my faith muft reft, And helps me to believe. 3 When darknefs overfpreads my mind, His word fupports me ftill ; ■I'm there convinc'd-that God is kind, Though I no comfort feel. 4 When fore temptations vex my foul, I think upon his word ; Some promife then my fears controul, And leads me to the Lord. 5 When for my fin my heart is broke, And tears my grief difclofe, Thy word directs me to that Rock Whence peace and pardon flows. 6 Are my afflictions fharp and long I Does pain extreme erifiie ? God's word I truft— His arm is flrbng, His wifdom bears me through. 7 Glory to Thee, thou God of Love* For favours fo divine ; D 26 SON'CS IN THE NIGHT. ■«% Who taught my thoughts to foar above, And made thefe blefllngs mine. 8 Had not Thy word been my relief, Had not Thy truth fuftain v d, I muft have perifh'd in my grief, No other help remain'd. —- •©^•O. — XXVI. / will say unto God, Do not condemn me, shelving me wherefore Thou contendest with me. — job.x. a. i f^i O N D E M N me not, mod gracious God, \_s Let not Thy fore difpleafure burn : Do not deftroy me with Thy rod, Nor at my feeble offerings fpurn. 2 Give me the knowledge of my heart, Releafe me from this heavy yoke ; Shew me the caufe of all my fmart, Why mud I bear this cutting ftroke ? 3 What is it that provokes Thine ire ? Is there fome idol I muft yield ? Sure in my heart fome bafe detire, Some dreadful evil lies conceal'd. 4 There's furely fome beloved fin, Could I but find the deadly foe, Ha# crept and lurks fecurely in, Fain would I mourn and hate it too. 5 Left it fhould fink my foul to Hell, Search me, O God, in every part ; Let not one fin in fecret dwell, Search me and fliew me all my heart. SOXGS IN THE NIGHT. 2J 6 Let me be ftr-ipp'd of all my pride, I'll not regard how coarfe my fare, Let me with Chrift be crucified If but His favour I may fhare. 7 Though pinching poverty prevail, Although the fields fhould yield no meat, The labour of the olive fail, If Chrift is mine my joy's compleat. — K5>sg*>^> X X V 1 I. Thou God seest w^.—gen, xvi. 13. 1 rTHH O U God of juftice and of grace, a Who would not fear Thy name ? Thine omniprefence fills all fpace, Thine eyes through nature flame. 2 No fecret thought can ever fhun The notice of Thine eye ; From Thee conceal'd no act be done, For Thou art ever nigh. 3 Thine eye furveys the ground I tread, Whene'er I rove abroad ; Within the curtains of my bed I lie in fight of God. 4 O be this folemn truth infcrib'd For ever on my heart, Left vile deceit fhould be imbib'd, And I from truth depart. 5 Give me, O Lord this holy fear, For 'tis a gift divine : 2§ SONGS IN THE NIGHT, The foul that views Thee ever near, No evil can defign. ■ — *o4f«>o< — XXVII I . // his children forsake My Law, and walk not in My judg* ments, if they break My statutes, and keep not My command- ments : then will I visit their transgression with the rod t and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless My loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail . My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of My lips, psalm lxxxix, 30—34. 1 TTTELL may I groan beneath Thy flroke, V V From whofe commands my heart has ftray'd : Lord, I have all thy ftatutes broke, Nor have I ftriclly one obej'd. 2 Although enlighten'd from above, I've caus'd Thy Spirit to depart ; Have fmri'd again ft both light and love, Made Jefus' wounds afrefh to fmart. 3 Where mall I hide my blufhing face ? My guilt awakes my grief and fears 5 How have I finn'd againft Thy grace ; My bafe ingratitude appears. 4 Chaften'd, but not deftroy'd, I ftand, Convinc'd my God doth all things well ; I'll kifs the rod, and blefs the hand, That keeps me from the lowed hell. SONGS IN THE NIGHT. ^9 5 Mercy is mix'd with all my woes, My heart, rebellious, to fubdue : God no injuftice can impofe, View'd with my crimes His ftripes are few. 6 Though He afflicts His love is fure, His covenant He'll ne'er revoke ; His faithfulnefs is too fecure, To alter what Hrs lips have fpoke. 7 While He corrects I'll plead His grace, His oath confirm'd and feal'd with blood 1 Herein my confidence I'll place, He cannot ceafe to be my God. — >o»$f^o — XXIX. All things werk together for good to them that love God, rom. vivi. 28. j f~*\ F T has my foul in fecret blefs'd \J Affliction's chauYning rod, It weans me from the crearure's breaft* And brings me near to God. 2 When I can take believing views Of His myfterious ways, I can each murmuring thought refufe, And celebrate His praife.. 3 Contented then I can refign To trouble, lofs, or fhame, Convinc'd all things for good combine, To thofe that love His name. 4 I love and fain would love Him more, Whatever woes a/Tail ; £0 SONGS IN THE NIGHT. All things fubferve His fov'reign power, His wifdom cannot fail. 5 When, Thou Defire of Nations, when Shall I have this requeft : To fight no more, no more to fin, But in Thy prefence reft ? — *e**ft^ — XXX. The Lord killeth and maketk alive : he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.— i sam. ii. 6* i np R E M B L E, my foul, fall down before X Jehovah, infinite in power ! Tremble before Eternal Might, No flefh may glory in His fight. 2 'Tis He that animates thy clay ! Life, death, and hell His voice obey : 'Tis He deftroys, 'tis He can fave : 'Tis He that refcues from the grave. 3 He wounds, and He alone can heal ; He fends — and cures the pains I feel ; 'Tis God, and I'll adore His name, Whofe power revives my dying frame. 4 Juflice afflicts, and love relieves, My foul from Him her help receives ; From him all comforts we derive. Faith He beftows and keeps alive. j Faith can perceive in darkeft hour, Eternal wifdom join'd with pow'r, Juftice go hand in hand with grace, And truth and mercy keep one paot. SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 3I XXXI, Awake, sword, against My shephtrd, against the man that is My fellow, saith the Lord oj : Hosts, — ZECH.xiii. 7. 1 'np H E Tri-une God above, JL And Lord of all below, To finners fhews His love, Displays his juftice too — " Awake, awake, vindictive fword, " Againft my fellow ! " — faith the Lord.— 2 " Awake againft the Man " Omnipotent in power, " To execute My plan " Loft mortals to reftore : " Man has a load of guilt fo great " None but My Son can bear the weight. 3 " Him vengeance mall purfue, " For man he muft atone ; " To juftice what is due " His blood can pay alone. " He mail My righteous law fulfil ; " He mall accomplifh all My will. , ^— 4 The Lord of Hofts commands, Th* Eternal Father fpoke : All Heaven in filence ftands While Jems bears the ftroke. See, guilty mortals ! fee, His fide For you was pierc'd ! for you He dy'd. 5 Draw near th y accurfed tree, In wonder loft, that love Could rife to that degree, — > Your fentence. to remove ! i > "' 32 SONCS IN THE NICKf* With weeping eyes His forrows view, He groan'd, He bled, He dy'd for you* O let Him have your hearts, Your bleffings fhall increafe : To His He ftill imparts Both righteoufnefs and peace. His grace fhall all your fins fubdue, He groan'd, He bled, He dy'd for you. Bought by His precious blood, You are no more your own ; Give up yoarfelves to God, And- live to Him alone: Jefus will bear you conq'rors through, He groan'd, He bled, he dy'd for you. — >0#K2x x x x i r. ALVATION's work is done ; The law is all obey'd : To God the Father, — God the Son, Be endleis honors paid. •s 2 All glory to His name Who hung upon the tree ; Let the whole earth repeat the fame t He bled and dy'd for me ! — ^H* 1 ^ XXXI I I. l nr^O Him that brought falvation nigh JL Let praife inceffant rife : Raife, faints, your hallelujahs high Above the lofty flues. 30NGS IN THE NlCHT, %$ 2 Pralie God, from whom your comforts flow, Sing your Redeemer's love ; Praife the Eternal Spirit too, Who taught you from above. — >e>?f|>o« — XX Xi Y. God thundereth marvelously with His voiced job xxxvii. 5. 1 r I ^ H E rain defcends, the tempefts rife,— -» A My foul, His majefty adore ! Jehovah's voice founds through the ikies, While lightnings flafh, and thunders roan 2 I fit becalm'd while others fear, The God of Thunder is my all ; It is my Father's voice I hear, Nor fhall I by His thunder falL 3 No : while His lightnings flafh around, Although the Earth's foundations move* I ftand fecure on faith's firm ground, I reft in His unchanging love. 4 Nothing fhall fright my foul from God, Should He the ikies this moment rend, He is my only fafe Abode : My Rock, my Refuge, and my Friend* XXXV. Behold, He comeih with clouds, and every eye shall see Hint*-— rev. i. 7. 1 "HE H O L D, He comes, the Saviour comes, JD Drefs'd in His bright array, 34 SONGS IN THE NIGHT. Awake, ye faints, and burft your tomb?; And view the glorious day. 2 He comes, attended from on high With thoufands, through the fkies, His glory fhines j and every eye Shall fee Him with furprize. 3 Lo, in the clouds the Judge defcends With His illuftrious train, Sinners He fevers from His friends. And dooms to endlefs pain. 4 He comes to make His jmlice known* To vindicate His word : The guilty view Him on his throne, And wail before the Lord. 5 Till now they never fought His face, . Nor wept for fin before : C how tremendous is their cafe I They weep to laugh no more. 6 Once they defpis'd His glorious name* And fet at nought His worth ; But now they feel, with bitter fhame, His fierce, vindictive wrath. 7 They now behold the faints rejoice, And mount above the ikies ; Thefe praife the Lamb, with cheerful voice* And triumph as they rife., 8 Yes, and my foul fhall bear her part In their melodious fong, My Saviour's grace (hall tune my heart, His love infpire my tongue. SONGS IN THE NIGHT* 35 XXXVI. God forbid that 1 should glory, save in the cress of our Lord Jesus Christ. — gal. vi. 14. i E T others, wrapt in felf-conceit, JL-i Boaft in their wifdom and their wit. Let them extol their gold and drofs, I'll glory in my Saviour's croft. a While the felf-righteous, blind and rude, Cry up their native rectitude, I'll feek revenge on all my pride, And boaft in Jefus crucify'd. 3 While they with curfes on their heads, Talk of their juftice and their deeds, I chufe to fit at Jefus' feet, And felf-abafement is my feat. 4 Hither I'm brought by fov'reign grace, I blefs the means, and love the place 5 I bid all earthly joys be gone, And glory in my Lord alone. 5 Here could I tarry night and day, Here could my foul for ever ftay ; O may I never, never rove, Nor glory, fave in Jefus' lovel XXXV I I. And the cause that is too hard for you bring unto me, and t will hear it. — deut. i. 17. TURN, Omy foul, from Mofes turn, Behold a greater far is here, The God of Mofes !— Of Him learn, In all things Him obedient hear. 3^ SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 2 Yes ; the Great God vouchfafes t' invite His fervants to His throne of grace, With words which furely muft delight The fouls of all that feek His face* 3 " Freely," — methinks He fays,— ft make known " Your difficulties all to Me ; " I'll meet and blefs you at My throne, " I'll hear and anfwer ev'ry plea. 4 " What ! have you broke My righteous laws ? " And are you "overcome with fear ? u Is guilt, that moft diftreffing caufe, " Too grievous for your fouls to bear ? 5 " With this approach your Mighty God, " I'll hear your fuit whene'er you pray 3 « Yes, and My own all powerful blood, " Shall wafh your load of guilt away* 6 " I never intercede in vain, " Although I intercede for all ; " I hear, well-pleas'd, when fouls complain " Of fin, and for forgivenefs call."-*- 7 O what encouragement for thee, My poor, defponding* drooping foul I Hear, and by faith to Jefus flee, And He will all thy fears controui. XXXVI 1 I . Look unto Me and be ye saved.— -ISA. xlv. 22. 1 X O O K unto Me, — the Saviour cries*- 1 j Behold, in Me your help is found ; Look, finners ! look with (ledfaft eyes, I have a balm for every wound 4 SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 37 •g Look unto Me, and Me alone, Look now* while I inviting ftand Your advocate before the throne, With life eternal in My hand. 3 To Me your fin-fick fouls refign, I'll fave them from the loweft Hell, All power in Heaven and Earth is Mine,- And in My prefence they fhall dwell. 4 Ye mourning fouls that fear My name, I've heard your groans, Pve feen your tearsV Look up to Me ! — I bore your fhame, And I forbid your gloomy fears. 5 Look, finners ! look, finners ! and adore ; I am your Prophet, Prieft, and King : Look, and be joyful evermore ; Lock, and complete falvation fing. XXXIX. be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and sup- plication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. — phil. iv. 6. i ET all my anxious cares be gone, JLj Why fhould they now difturb my breaft \ My foul confides in God alone, And in His gracious promife reft. 2 There is a rich, and full fupply, In the broad cov'nant of His love ; Then let my groans afcend on high, To bring the bleffings from above, E 38 SONGS IN THE NIGHT, 3 O for a heart that loves to pray, That loves to converfe with the Lord; Fain would I call my fears away, And live by faith upon His word. 4 On God I'll cafl: my every care, To Him my ev'ry want make known : When troubles come, in humble prayer, I'll fpread them all before His throne, 5 I would with gratitude adore His matchlefs, condefcending grace ; And charge my heart, — Repine no more, No more refuie to feek His face. KSxJf^xS* — X L. m And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer , believing ye shall receive.— matt. xxi. 22. 1 r^ SOUL-REVIVING word, \J Let all my fears be gone I Let me by faith addrefs the Lord, And bow before His throne. 1 O why mould unbelief Stay the Almighty's hand, That hand which holds my fure relief, Though Earth and Hell withftand. 3 My foul, believe and pray, Without a doubt believe, Whate v er we afk in God's own way We fhall in truth receive. Here ftands the promife fair, For God cannot repent 5 SOtfGS IN THE NIGHT. 39 To fervent, perfevering prayer He'll every bleffing grant. 5 Pray then for pardon now, And fm-fubduing grace ; For ftrength intreat, and wifdom too, So fhall you each embrace. 6 For faith, in faith I'll pray, This glorious promife plead, And God, through Chrift will foon convey The bleffings which I need. X L 1 . Though the Lord be high t yet hath He icspzfiunto the lowly ps. cxxxviii. 6. 1 "] J" I G H in the Heavens doth God refide, jLi None can His perfect beauty trace ; His glory fhines on every fide, Before Him angels veil their face. 2 His condefcenfion He difplays, Their pureft offerings to approve ; How then mould it our wonder raife, — Mortals are call'd to fhare His love ! 3 Mortals who have fo oft rebell'd Againft the offers of His grace ? His threat'nings at defiance held, And dar'd the Almighty to His face. 4 Yet ftrange ! all gracious, from above God ftoops, to bring fuch rebels nigh, Allures them with the cords of love, And ihews them where their help doth 4© SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 5 Then they in duft confefs their fin, Believe, and tremble at His word ; They mourn their natures all unclean, Repent, and turn unto the Lord. 6 Then God His fov'reign grace difplays, Flies o x er the mountains of their guilt, And pardons all their {infill ways, Through Jefus' blood on Calvary fpilt, 7 To fifch He looks with tender care, And ftamps His image on their heart j happy fouls ! His love they fhare, Nor mail His favour e'er depart. X L I U Walk arcumspeB!y t not' as fools but as ww.-eph. v. 15. 1 rn HIS blefling, Lord, to me impart, — JL O make me circumfpecl in heart ! Let not hypocrify and guile, My foul's interior powers defile. 1 O make me wife, Celeftial Dove*! Wife as a fharer in Thy love ; Wife to believe and truft Thy word, To honor Jefus as my Lord. 3 May grace divine be dill fupplied, My foul's Dire&or, Guardian, Guide y Lord, let Thy honor be my end In all the labours I attend. * Addressed to the Holy Ghost, of which the Dove is a scriptural emblem* SONGS IN THE NIGHT. ^1 4 I want that lively zeal for God Which loves to fpread His praiie abroad Let this, and not the praiie of men, Infpire my Mufe, and guide my pen. 5 Jefus, do Thou direct my walk, Infpire my thoughts, dictate my talk j O give me faith and holy fear, Make every act of mine fmcere. 6 I'd leave the prating fool to boaft, Let me lie humbled in the dull. Lord, keep me ever at Thy feet, III freely chufe the lowed feat. X L 1 I 1, To be carnally -minded is dtath y but to be spiritually -minded is life and peace. — ROM. viii. 6. 1 T> Y holinefs and watchful care JD Be vain defire confin'd ; Guard, O my foul, againft this fnare, A carnal, earthly mind. 2 This will be death to all thy joys, 'Twill give new life to pain ; 'Twill caufe diftreffing fears to rife, And wound thy Lord again. 3 Satan would triumph in the fight, And chain me down to fenfe : Then muft I mourn in gloomy night, Till Jefus brings me thence. £2 42 SONGS IN THE NIGHT, 4 O for invigorating grace To raifc my foul above ; O for that heavenly-mindednefs That Satan cannot move ! 5 Peace, conftant then, ferene and full, Would like a river flow ; Courage divine would arm my foul, And bear down ev'ry foe. 6 How would my faith triumphant rife, And leave the world behind ; How would I foar above the fkies, And fcorn to be confin'd. 7 The world in vain fhould tempt me down, I'd laugh at ev'ry fnare ; I'd aim at nearnefs to the throne, Foi my Redeemer's there. 8 Defcend, Immortal Dove, defcend, And bear my heart away ; Let life and peace my foul attend, Till Heav'n completes my day. — ><£>•# o< — X L I V. Be not afraid of their faces, for I am with thee. jer. i. 8. i TTTHY fhouid the dread of (inful man V V Infnare and vex my foul ? O for that fortitude which can My ev'ry fear controul. 2 Shall I offend a holy God, And facrifice my peace, SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 43 To fhun a mortal's threatening rod ; A friend or two to pleafe ? 3 Hard is the tafk, I muft confefs, Where duty thus confines ; Nor can my foul efcape diftrefs Though fhe to God inclines- 4. Fain would I pleafe both friends and foes, And follow peace with all, Nor to one frown myfelf expofe, But where 'tis duty's call. 5 I muft obey the God I love, Though all the world contemns ; One fmile from Him I prize above The richeft earthly gems. 6 Hark, O my foul, methinks I hear Jehovah's awful voice, — " Fear, not thou worm, for I am near, " I will defend thy choice. 7 " While mortal men revile and frown •* I'll fmile upon thy foul ; " And thou fhalt tread the Tempter down, " While I his rage controul. 8 " Truft thou in My almighty name, " Nor let thy faith be weak ; " Thy foul fnall ne'er be put to fhame " Whilft thou My glory feek."— 9 Lord, I refign me to Thy will, Thy wifdom I adore ! I yield to Thee :—Thy word fulfil, And let me doubt no more. 44 SONGS IN THE NIGHT. X L V, Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity ; matt, xxiii. 28. 1 *¥^VE CEIVERS will affecl: t' appear \J Like fomething good and great \ Religion as a cloak they wear, And think themfelves complete. 2 Againfl impiety and vice They will exclaim aloud ; In lefTer things how ftrict and nice, That men may call them good. 3 Amongft the faints they'll join in prayer, With looks demure and grave ; Devoutly read when men can hear, And think each dutv brave. 4 But O their hearts are all unclean, All filthy and impure, Full of\hypocrify and fin ; There Satan reigns fecure. 5 Strange to themfelves, eftrang'd from God, How awful is their ftate ! Soon mud they feel His vengeful rod :-— What woes their fouls await ! 6 Tremble, my foul, with holy fear, And dread deceit and guile : Lord, make this heart of mine fincere, Obedient to Thy will. SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 4£ X L V I . Tkefe&r of the Lord is to hate evil. — p r v. viii. 13, 1 "XT O W, whilft I try my heart XN By this unerring word, My confeience can alTert I truly fear the Lord : I cannot tread the paths of fin r I long for hclinefs within. 2 Yes, holinefs of heart I would more largely fhare ; I mourn with inward fmart The evils that are there : I hate my thoughts becaufe they're vain, I would from ev'ry fin abftain. 3 I hate this wretched pride, Thefe covetous defires ; I'd have them crucify'd, For God my heart requires : Jefus do Thou thefe foes fubdue, Make me flill more nr.cere and true. 4 I'd live alone to Thee, I love t' obey Thy word, Well pleas'd that Thou fhould'ft be My Saviour and my Lord. To Thee I now refign my heart, Renew it, Lord, in ev'ry part. — >0#x2x — X L V I I . Love your enemies ; bless them that curse you ; do good to them that hate you. --matt. v. ^44. L R D, captivate my ev'ry thought, I'll then delight to do Jhj will ; 46 SONCS IN THE NIGHT. I love the docTrines Thou had taught, And they mall lead and guide me full. 2 For Thy dear fake I love my foes, And feek their happinefs with care j I fain would do fome good to thofe Whofe hatred unprovoked I bear. 3 While they revile my worthlefs name y Do Thou defeat each bafe defign ; And, lefs their malice end in fhame. Their anger turn to love benign. 4 Bring them, O Jefus, to Thy throne, Let them Thy pard'ning mercy prove, To them Thy glorious Self make known, And fet theii hearts on things above. 5 Blefs them with ev'ry chrift'ian grace,. Infpire their fouls with holy joy ; So fhall their wrath to love give place, And nobler thoughts their minds employ-. 6 Be this my fweet revenge on thofe Whofe envy treads me in the duft } I'd dwell in peace with all my foes, My friends I'd feek among the juft, — xS^f^xS* — X L V I I I. The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.— pro v. xi. 25. 1 /CHRISTIAN, wouldft thou in grace excel. V_y Wouldft thou enlarge thy ftore ? Ufe what thou haft with liberal zeal, And God wilingive thee more. SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 4O 2 Let not thy facred talents lie Conceal'd beneath the ground, But blefs thy fellow-chriftians by The treafures thou haft found. 3 Comfort the feeble and opprefs'd With tokens of thy love ; Then fhall thy foul be well refrefti'd, And water'd from above. 4 Shew kind affection, foecial care, To the afflicted poor, Give freely what thou haft to fpare., And God will give thee more. 5 The liberal heart, the liberal hand Jehovah deigns* to blefs : By fuch He will mo# furely ftand, And keep them from diftrefs. x l 1 x. A certain Centurion's servant was dear unto hi*n, luke vii. 2. 1 /^ RACE will to every duty bind, VJT It forms the hearts of men fmcerej It fweetly humbles all the mind, And then in acts it will appear. e It makes the meaneft fervant juft, Willing, obedient, wife, difcreety Worthy of confidence and truft, And diligent without deceit, 48 SONGS IN THE NIGHT, 3 Was the Centurion's fervant fuch, Who won his matter for his friend ? Yes, or he'd ne'er been lov'd fo much :— * What bleflings faithful fouls attend ! 4 He fought the honor of his God, Approv'd his ftation and his fare ; * The paths of honefty he trod, His Lord's good pleaiure his chief care. 5 Ye that are fervants feek for grace, If to yourmafters you'd be dear ; And thus fill up your humble place, Serve them in faith with holy fear. h Labour while Heav'n allows you ftrength. Let all your work to Qod be done ; A fure reward fhall come at length, When faithfully your race is run. L. The heart of him. that hath understanding seeketh knowledge prov. xv. 14. 1 "TXT HE RE is the undemanding heart VV That feeks to acl the wifer parti What is the knowledge he requires ? What are the things his foul defires ? i He feeks to know himfelf aright, As feen in his Creator's fight ; He feeks repentance for his fins ; 'Tis here true wifdom firft begin?: SONCS IN TKE NIGHT. 49 3 Earneft he feeks Jehovah's face, And longs to feel the power of grace j He fhuns the fins he lov'd before, And ftrives to hate them more and more, 4 He feeks for pardon through the blood Of Jefus, the incarnate God; He feeks that faith which works by love* This is the wifdom from above* 5 He feeks to prove his faith fmcere, And guards his foul with holy fear ; He feeks to be approv'd of God, And loves to fpread His praife abroad. 6 This is the knowledge l\e requires ; And God will grant his pure defires ; Jefus will blefs him from the fkies, And make him to falvation wife* LI, Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righttou^ nesStfor they shall be iM~MATT . v. 6. x r T^ H IS promife is to tinners made* X To finners fuch as me : Lord, I would come and humbly plead This promife now with Thee. I fee my heart is all unclean. Its hardnefs oft I mourn ; I thirft for holinefs within, For perfect love I bum, F 5° SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 3 How are my wand'ring thoughts bewailM, How odious in my light ; When fhall my fpirit be regal'd With pure, divine delight. 4 Fain would I love my Saviour more. And live upon His word : I would believe, I would adore, And banquet with the Lord. 5 My hungry fpirit longs to feed On truth and righteoufnefs ; I am all emptinefs and need, Lord, fill me with Thy grace. 6 O, Fount of Excellence, draw near, Or bear my foul above, That I may feafl on heavenly fare, And triumph in Thy love. L I I. These things I command you, that ye love one another, JOHN xv. 17. 1 AMI indeed born from above ? Jljl Do I partake of Jefus' Love ? Then let me all my duty know, And love by my obedience fhew, 2 Fain would I love His perfon more, And God in all His works adore ; O may His love my heart inflame With love to all that love His name, SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 5! 3 Wherever I His image fee, O let thole fouls be dear to mc ! Dear, as the purchafe of His blood, Dear, as the favourites of Gotf. 4 Jefus to us His love doth fhew, And bids us love each other too ; But O how little love fmcere Is found in great profeflbis here ! 5 What anger, pride, and malice fwell Thofe breafts where love alone fhould dwell ! O why fhould Satan thus devour Religion's glory and its power ? 6 Come, Heavenly Spirit, from above, And fill our inmofl hearts with love : That We may fay to«all mankind, "See how thcfe love whom Chrifl has join/d !" L I I I. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give tkee a crown of life. — key. ii. io. L O R D, is not this my own defire> That I may faithful prove ? I'd fight with fin, and never tire, Till death my foul remove. 2 The eafy work that I have here I faithfully would do j And when the hardeft talks appear I would be faithful too. 5 2 SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 3 Jefus, enrich my foul with grace, And guide me in Thy ways ; That I may fill my humble place To thine eternal praife. 4 Vd do and fuffer all Thy will With patience and delight ; Duty to all I would fulfil, By all I'd fain do right. 5 Faithful I'd lay this body down, And yield it to the grave : Faithful I'd rife, and take the crown, And fing Thy power to fave. — >o-^-ex — L I V*. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your moulk. e ph. iv. 29. 1 X/E highly favour'd who profefs _L To love and practice holinefs, You ftand expos'd to Earth and Hell, And ferioufnefs becomes'you well. 2 Be circumfpeel in all your ways, And fpread your great Redeemer's praife ; Let His commands be your delight, This is well-pleafing in His fight. 3 Labour to prove your faith fincere, In purity and holy fear : Let all your conduct £1111 exprefs The truth and pow'r of godlinefs. SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 53 4 Look up to Him whofe blood was fpilt To purchafe pardon for your guile ; His grace can all your fins fubdue, And help you both to will and do. 5 O love and reverence His name, And let His glory be your aim : So fhall your fouls efcape diftrefs, And glory in His righteoufnefs, LV. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant.<-~VS. xxxi. i5< i X O R D, what am I without Thy love ? ^ J Without Thy fmiles I cannot reft ; Shine, Light Effulgent, from above, And with a word pronounce me bleft. 2 Break through the darknefs of my mind, And drive the powers of Hell away ; I cannot bear to be confin'd, My fpirit longs for brighter day. 3 Nothing will pleufe me but Thy fmile ; Not all the wealth this Earth afford Can give my foul contentment, while I find fuch- diftance from the Lord, 4 Favour of princes and of kings, The fmiles of angels from on high, To me are mean, infipid things, If God in anger pafs me by. 5 Jefus, regard me from above , My foul with all its pow'rs are Thine, F2 54 SONGS IN THE NIGHT. My life depends upon Thy love, O make Thy face on me to mine. 6 twill again repeat the cry, Importunate ; till Thou appear I will refufe all other joy, Till I can feel my God is near. — HS^-e* — L V I. The heart is deceitful abate all things, and desperately wicked} who can know it? — j er. xvii. 9. J np HIS wretched heart will ftill backflide, JL O what deceit is treafur'd here I 'Tis made of vanity and pride ; What fruits of unbelief appear ! 2 My bafe ingratitude I mourn, My ilubborn will, my earthly mind, My thoughts how vain, to rove how prone, To ev'ryevil how inclined I 3 Who can, amongft the fons of men, Find out the vilenefs of my heart ? None can the depths of guilt explain, 'Tis all corrupt through every part. 4 Could creatures look into my breaft, How would they gaze with Grange furprife I They'd hate me with a fore deteft, And turn, away their frighted eyes. 5 Eut what are creatures, Lord, to Thee ! They can't forgive one fingle fin, Were they difpos'd to pity me, They could not work one grace within. 'SONGS IN THE NIGHT. £5 6 To Jefus then I'll make my moan, O cleanfe this filthy link of tin ! Jefus, Thou canft, and Thou alone> O condefcend to make me clean* 7 I plead for mercy at Thy feet, Make me inflexibly fincere ; Purge me from guile, — from all deceit, And fill my foul with holy fear. — K3^«Sx— L V I I . lord be merciful unto me, htaimy soul, for 1 have tintitd a-- gainst Thee.— vs. xli. 4. 5 "T7TTI L L God be merciful to me, V v And hear my foul complain I Shall I indeed His good fiefs fee, Or muii I pray in vain ? 2 No, let this thought for ever fly, God will in mercy hear j In mercy anfwer when I cry, Nor difregard my prayer. 3 Lord, let Thy mercy now appear. And calm my troubled mind ; Proclaim Thy-' elf before me here,—* " God, merciful and kind !" * 4 O heal my fick and wounded foul, Phyfician only good ! One word of Thine can make me whole? One drop of Jefus' blood, 5.6 SOKCS IN THE NIGHT. 5 Forgive my guilt, for I have finn'd, Pm vile in every part ; Heal the difeafes of my mind, And renovate my heart. LVIII. Be merciful unto me, God, be merciful unto me,Jor my soul trusteth in Thee.— vs. lvii. |. i T> E merciful, O God, to me, JD Thy mercy is my only plea, Look with companion on my woes, And let not judgment interpofe. 2 Guilty before Thy face I ftand, And fear Thy fin. avenging hand ; Hell as my juft defert I own, But mercy plead before Thy throne, 3 Mercy, through Jefus crucified, I afk, and can I be denied ? Mercy, O God, — I afk no more, — Thruft not my foul from mercy's door* 4 O God, as powerful as juft, In Thee, in Thee alone Itruft : Vain does the help of man appear ; Vain is Ae help of angels here ! 5 Nothing will give my fpirit reft, Till pard'ning mercy makes me bleft : Behold I faint beneath Thy frown, Send, fend the cheering cordial down. SONGS IN THE NIGHT, §J in, thou of little failh, wherefore didst thou doubt ? MATT. XIV. 31. i /^i M E, O my doubting foul, attend \^_s Unto thy Saviour's call, Come tell thy Great," Almighty Friend* Why is thy faith fo fmaXLl 2 Why ail tkefe unbelieving fears ? Jehovah's arm is ftrong : O chide thefe fighs, and groans, and tears,- And turn them to a fong. 3 Is God thy Shield, thy Great reward, . Thy Portion, and thy All ? Is Chrift thy Captain-, and thy Lord,. And fhall thy hopes be fmall. 4 Why wilt thou thus difpute His love, And thus abufe His care ? Whj wilt thou grieve the Heavenly Dove* And yield to every fnare ? 5 In Jefus every grace is found, Why wilt thcu not believe ? He hath a balm for every wound. Why wilt thou not receive I 6 His arm can conquer ev'ry foe, His grace 'can fanctify : Amen, amen ; Lord, be it fo, Let my corruptions die. 58 SONGS IN THE NIGHT, 7 Sin is the caufe of evYy fear, O keep me from its power : Slay the accurfed monlter here : That I may doubt no more. — 4W&«©»- L X . His a?7ger endurclh but a moment,— in His favour is l.ift.-- Weeping may fndurejbra nigkt t But joy comcth in the hiorning.— ?*, xxx. 3---£,. t HP-H I N E anger, Lord, how fhort the ftayy A. Slowly it comes, and flies away Swift 2s the ddrknefs cf the night When morning brings the cheering light. •2 My foul again fhall blefs Thy name, Whofe power and love are (Hll the fame ; Yea, through Thine awfal frowns I tracer Unutterable plains of grace. Too oft have I tranfgreiVd Thy law. And fore'd Thy Spirit to withdraw ; I mourn ; — again Thy love appears To heal my wounds, difperfe my fears, 4 My God, Thou art immenfely kind, Life In Thy favour itill I find ; Thy love is an exhauftlefs (lore, O let me grieve nor doubt no more. 5 Lord, take and keep my wand'ring heart, Let me no more from Thee depart ; That I no more may feel Thy frown, Nor tempt, nor force Thine anger down. 60NGS IN THE NlClIT. 59 LX 1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for their 1 s is the kingdom of Heaven.— matt. v. 3. 1 t~\Q M E, each defponding, drooping foul, \^j You who defire to feek the Lord, Whofe thoughts in fad dejeclion roll, Who tremble at His awful word. 2 Come, hanifli ev ? ry -flavifli fear, Let Satan flee, for God is true : Let unbelief no mere appear : This promife is for fueh as you. 3 For you that triut in Jefus' name .; For you that mourn your helplelfnefs ; Who fee your poverty and fhame, And all your fins with grief confefs, 4 Jefus himfelf proclaims you bleft, His word forever (lands fecure ; You on His faithfulnefs may reft, His love forever fha'11 endure, 5 O live by faith in Him alone, Jefus will lead you fafely through : Believe and hope, as well as mourn, Himfelf hath taken care for you, -6 For you He pleads His precious blood, For you, — the favourites of Heav'n! Lift up your heads, ye ions of God ! Sing, for your fins aie all forgiven. ''6o SONGS IN THE NICH-T-* LXII Thou knottiest my down sitting and mine uprising : Thou under* standcst ?ny thoughts afar of. --vs. cxxxix, 2. x rri H O U art acquainted with my heart, X O Thou Omnifcient God ! Thpu know'it my Qv'ry wand'ring thought, What devious, paths I've trod. 2 O 'tis in vain for me to try My num'rous thoughts to fcrcen ; No fin efcapes Thyfearching eye, Unnotic'd or unfeen. 3 Then let me call my follies o'er, And mourn before the Lord, That I have liv'd to Him no more. No more obey'd His word. .4. Lord, fmite the flinty rock within, And let my forrows flow ; And whilft: I mourn and hate my fin, Do Thou Thy mercy fhew. 5 O bring a pardon to my hand, A pardon bought with blood : And may I never more offend, Nor fin againft my God. L X 1 I 1 . '•JLet us run with patience the race thai is set before us t looking unto yesus .-" heb. xii. 1,2. t T ORB, can a helplefs worm, like me* A.. J Attempt to make her way to Thee ? SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 6 Yes, let me raife Thy praifes high, In weaknefs Thou canft ftrength fupply. 2 'Twas by Thy grace I firfl begun, Refolv'd the heavenly race to run ; 'Tis grace corrects me when I ftray, 'Tis grace upholds me in the way. 3 Run on, my foul, and flill adore, Receiving ftill, ftill afking more ; In Chrift thy ftrength and wifdom lies, O look to Him with ftedfaft eyes. 4 Look to that blood thy Saviour fhed, Thy Dayfman dying in thy ftead ; Behold Him on th' accurfed tree ! Great was the love He bore to thee. 5 He who thus lov'd thee unto death Will love thee to thy lateft breath ; Keep fight of Him, my foul, and run, He'll crown thee when thy race is done, L X I V. Draw me, we will run after Thee. — cant. i. 4. i T ORD,I confefs my guilt and ftiame, JL^ Which feparates my foul from Thee : Yet the Remembrance of Thy name Is dear, fupremely dear to me. 2 Break down the feparating wall, O rid me of this earthly mind, My foul would foon obey the call, And run and leave her fears behind. G 62 SONGS IN THE NIGHT, 3 Jefus, allure me by Thy grace, Why ihould I grovel in the dud ? Thee would my arms of faith embrace ^ Thou art the object of my truft. 4 Draw me from unbelief and pride, From every fin, from every fnare ; Fain would I in Thy chambers hide, And banifh ev'ry mortal care. 5 With Thee, my Lord, I would retire, And fpend the remnant of my days: Draw me, I burn with ftrong defire, Draw me, and I will fmg Thy praife. 6 Draw me, my Jefus, with Thy love, I cannot bear thy awful frown ; O draw my heart and foul above, And let me tread the tempter dowxi, L X V. Not unto us, Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory. — ps. cxv. l. i T ORD, 'tis enough, at length I own JL-4 By me no good was ever done ; O let Thy dark, myfterious ways Excite my gratitude and praife , 2 In mercy Thou haft hid Thy face, In mercy too reftrain'd Thy grace, « Helplefs I laid beneath the rod, Nor could I fpeak or think of God. 3 I fent the Spirit griev'd away, Nor cculd I meditate, or pray. SCNGS IN THE NIGHT. 63 Without my Teacher and my Guide, Mourning, I laid Thy word afide. 4 But, O my foul, adore the grace, Jefus again unveils His face ! Glory no more in meaner things, In Him alone are all thy fprings. 5 Now I can read and pray again 5 Can contemplate, or ufe my pen ; Now I can fee each heavenly thought Is by the Holy Spirit brought. 6 Not unto me reward is due, The work is God's, the glory too : " Not unto me" is (till my fong,— < To God alone all praife belong. L X V I. By Grace are ye saved. — eph. ii. 8. 1 VTO more of works I vainly boaft ? Jl\ Nor fo employ my tcngue ; Jefus alone is all my truft, Free grace my only fong. 2 'Twas not in me to feek His face r Nor did I afk His love. Till He by His all-powerful grace Firft drew my thoughts above. 3 My free-will chofe the beaten road That leads to endlefs pain, I walk'd with pleafure there till God Inclin/d me to refrain. $4 SONGS IN THE NIGHT 4 He faw me helplefs and undone, A rebel dark and blind, And led me to His bleffed Son, A better way to find. 5 By whofe rich grace alone I (land, Kept by His mighty power, Through which I trull: e'er long to land On the celeftial fhore. 6 Then fhp.ll I leave all fin's remains, And view His glorious face, And fmg in more exalted drains The freedom of His grace. LXVII. The Son ef Man is come to seek, and to save that zohich was l0St.— LVKE. xix. 10. i T1THY, O my foul, thefe gloomy fears ? V V Why all thefe fighs, and groans, and tears ? O why this God-difhonoring grief ? Why all this wretched unbelief? ■2 Though helplefs in myfelf I lie, And loft to all eternity, Yet fhall I triumph o'er the grave, Since Jefus came to feek and fave. 3 To fave poor fmners, fuch as me, To fet the captive pris'ners free, To comfort thofe that mourn — to heal The wounds of all who mifery feel SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 6$, 4 To fave the ruin'd and undone, To feek the loft ; — Lord, I am one ! I fee, and mourn my guilt with fhame :— To feek out fuch the Saviour came. 5 Then let my gratitude abound, 'I once was loft, but now am found j I once was dead but now I live : — Praife, praife is all that I can give. ^-^xS* LX V I II. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain. — rev. v. 12. 1 ALL glory belongs to Jefus alone, JTjL. To Jefus the Saviour who fits on the throne? To Jefus whom angels and feraphs adore, To Jefus falvation afcribe evermore. 2 How worthy the Lamb on mount Calvary flain, Who triumph'd o'er death, and is rifen again ! How worthy of bleffing, and glory, and praife ! The higheft afcr.iptions archangels can raife ! 3 All wifdcm and honor to Jefus belongs, He (hall have the plaudits of ten thouiand tongues 3 Yea, infinite numbers "with joy mall proclaim Through ages eternal His excellent name. 4 His mercy my thanks and aftonifhment raife, X cannot be filent in Jefus's praife ; My foul mail adore Him who bled on the tree, Who laid down His life as a ranfom for me. 5 While on earth I remain I'll mew. forth His praife, And aim at His honor the reft of my days ; And when I get home to His manfion above, All Heaven fhall ring with the fhouts of His love-. G 2 66 SONGS IN THE NlGHT, L X I X. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believed in Him should not perish ) hut have everlasting life. — john. iii. 16. E T all the heavenly hofts rejoice, And let the earth be glad : Let fmners fing with cheerful voice, Let faints no more be fad. 2 Sing of that boundlefs, matchlefs grace That pitied helplefs man ; Adam rejoice, thy fallen race Are rais'd to blifs again. 3 So were the fouls of men belov'd, (O wonder and adore !) That God's own Son our«curfe remov'd, When we could hope no more.* 4 The only Darling of His heart Jehovah did not fpare, Bat gave him up to bleed and fmart, Our punifhment to bear. 5 What could the Lord of Glory fee In fuch a guilty race, That He fhould thus confent to be The Author of our peace ? 6 Why for fuch traitors did He bleed, When angels were pafs'd by ? Here let my admiration feed, And waft His praifes high. 7 Praife Him, ye feraphs round His throne, Who bled upon the tree ; SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 6/ To praife the Father and the Son Let Heaven and Earth agree. &1§f** L X X. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. — ps xix. 14. 1 T O R D, is it not my foul's defiie I J To honor Thee in all my ways ? let Thy grace my heart infpire, So ftrall Thy grace have all the praife. 2 Thou know'ft I'm ignorant and weak, Prone to prefer the thing that's wrong ; 1 often think> and often fpeak, And then reprove -my heart and tongue, 3 Jefiis, my Wifdom, make me wife, That I may pleafe the God I love ; In Thee the hidden treafure lies, Teach and inftruct me from above. 4 Holy in heart I fain would be, Now let my meditations fpring, And flow acceptable to Thee, My Pried, my Prophet, and my King, L X X I . Sin shall not have dominion over you.— ROM. vi. 14. NO W let my faith grow ftrong and plead This promife all divine j This is, '-'deed, a time of need With this poor foul of mine. 68 SONGS IN THE NIGHT, 2 Shew me, God, Thy fmiling face,. Nor leave me to my foes ; Pity my cafe, and let Thy grace My troubled thoughts compote. 3 Hear and regard my earned: cries, And anfwer when I call ; Jefns arife, and fend fupplies, Or I mall quickly fall. 4 Look how I groan beneath the weight Of lin's oppreffive yoke ; O how I hate this load fo gieat, When fhall this chain be broke ? 5 O why (hould fin opprefs me fo, And draw my heart from Thee ? Lord, fmite this foe, and bid it go And fet Thy captive free. 6 My foul depends upon Thy word, And pleads Thy faithfulnefs ; New ftrength afford, my deareft Lord, And I will praife Thy grace. L X X I I . Be ye angry and sin not : let not the sun go down upon your turath.— E PH. iv. 26. L E T me lay my anger by And bid my wrath be gone, Or from it let me rather fly Before the letting fun. SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 69 2 Can comfort in my bofom-reil When I in anger fpeak ? Let me with tendernefs be bleft, Lord, make me truly meek. 3 Left I mould wearafalte difguife, Or once malicious prove, O make me as the ferpent wife, And harmlefs as the dove. 4 Still let me guard my heart with care, And every paffion curb, Left pride ihould get dominion there, And fin my peace difturb. — K£x*f|$*e* — L X XI 1 I. He fainted and wished in himself to die, and'said, It is better forme to die than to live. — jonak iv. 8. 1 TITHY, Jonah, does thine anger rife ? V V Whence that ungrateful frown? Impatience ill becomes the wife ; O why fo fretful grown ? 2 What, though thy pleafant gourd is gone, If fo thy Maker's will, The Hand that rais'd and plucked it foon Can well defend thee ftill. 3 What, though exposed to ftorm and wind, Or parch'd with fultry heat ? So God appoints ; be thou refign'd, And worfhip at His feet. JO SONGS IN THE NIGHT* 4 My foul ! thou art the Jonah here, To thee alone I fpeak ; Alas ! how little can ft thou bear I Why is thy faith fo weak I, 5 Wilt thou, when tried, like him complain, And murmur, and rebel ? O think how light is every pain Compar'd with tkofe in Hell I 6 Wilt thou defpife a father's rod, And fay,—" 'Tis belt to die < u How canft thou think to fly from God, Who fills immenfity ? 7 Ah ! ceafe, vain wretch ! repine no more, God is fupremely wife ; Believe His love, His grace adore, And wipe thy weeping eyes. 8 Or rather drop an humble tear O'er thy unruly will ; Look up to God for ftrength to bear, And He'll fupport thee ftilL. -*2x#>e* — LXXIV. How shall toe sing the Lord's song in a strange land. ps. cxxxvii. 4. x TTNFERTIL E, intricate, and ftrange KJ Is this world's wildernefs, Where woes unnumber'd take their range,. And fin, and fad driftreis. SONGS IN THE NIGHT. ft 2 My harp is on the willow hung, My foul oppreft with fear, How then can Zion's fong be fung In drains melodious here ? 3 Led captive by the law of fin, I groan beneath its yoke, Nor can I reach the things divine, Till this vaft chain is broke. 4 Where can a captive pris'ner flee, In bondage and exile ? Earth is a prifon- Lord, to me, When Thou refufe to fmile. 5 How can I raife my thoughts above. Or bow this ftubborn will ? How can I fmg of Jefus' love If thou His love conceal ? 6 While I in grief and fears complain, And think Thine abfence long Satan infults me with difdain, And alks me for a fong. *o » *j Help, Lord., nor let Thy grace delay, I trull alone in Thee O drive the troops of Hell away. And fet>rhy prib'ner free. 8 Jefus, unloofe my ftamm'ring tongue. And then I'll raife my voice : £ Glory to God fhall be my fong, While all my powers rejoice. ^2 SONGS IN THE NIGHT, LXXV. COMPLAINING OF SPIRITUAL DESERTION; 1 \AT HAT ails thIs vile deceitfal ^ art - ? V V Why do I thus from God "depart ? O how unftable do I prove ! How falfe and fickle is my love ! 2 "Wretched, I wander from the Lord, His ways neglect, and flight His word* Let fin and vanity invade, And break the folemn vows I made* 3 Sure none are fo denTd with fin ; None fo unholy and unclean ! Overcome with pride and every ill, Viler I grow, and viler (till. 4 Tn fad defertion now I mourn :-^ The Lord, my Comforter, is gone ! Offended, — griev'd,— - He hides His face, Nor can I fee one glimpfe of grace. 5 My mind what clouds of darknefs veil, Terrors on every fide aflail ; By guilt opprefs'd, enfiav'd by fear, My thoughts run out to meet defpair. 6 And mud I here defponding lie ? Why do I not for mercy cry ? Forgive my fin, Thou God of Grace, For Jefus' fake, unveil Thy face ! 7 Unworthy of the fmalleft good, I plead a worthy Saviour's blood ; On Him alone my hopes depend, My Surety, Advocate, and Friend. SONGS IN THE NIGHT. ?§ His blood can cleanfe my foul anew, His power can all my fins fubdue ; Behold Him, Lord, and fet me free, That I may live alone to Thee. LXXVl. that I knew where I might find Hint, that I might come evefi to His seat j / would order my cause before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments. — job xxiii. 3, 4. 1 T L A N G U I S H for a fight _L Of Him who reigns on high 5 Jefus, my foul's fupreme delight, For Him alone I figh. 2 O that I knew the place Where I might find my God, And make the arms of His embrace My foul's fecure abode ! 3 Near to His mercy's feat, Where grace triumphant reigns, I'd come and worfhip at His feet, And tell Him all my pains. 4 The arguments Td ufe My troubles fhall fuggeft ; Nor can my bleffed Lord refufe The caufe of the diftrefs'd. O Jefus, bring me near, New life, new itrength impart^ Banifh at once my flavifh fear, And dwell within mv heart* H J4 SONGS IN THE NWHt LXXVII. Never man spake like this Man. — JOHN vii. 4J6# <% "VTO man, nor angel, can compare JL\I With our Almighty Lord : To fpeak like Him what feraph dare, Or imitate His word ? 2 Who can command the dead to rife, With a prevailing power ? Who can pour light on fightlefs eyes? The fick to health reftore \ 3 Whofe word can fiends infernal tame \ Or furious winds controul ? Unftop deaf ears ; or cure the lame; Or make the wounded* whole \ A One word from Jefus this performs, And proves His power divine ; His breath can ftill the roughed; ftorms, Leviathan confine ! $ None e\(c could expiate my guilt, Nor fave one foul from Hell ; Not all the blood of mortals fpilt Since our firft parents fell. £ Jefus for me fulfilPd the law, And juftice fatisfied ; My guilt and mifery He faw, And for my raniom died. 7 Love fuch as His can ne'er be foundj His grace is rich indeed ; Such words as His there's none can found, Nor do as Jefus did* SOtftfS Itf THE NIGHT; f§ LXXVI IT I will love the Lord, because He hath heard my voice, and r%y supplications.*— ps . cxvi. 1. x r ~V^ H E E will I love, my deareft Lord, A For Thou haft heard my mournful cries, My foul ihall live upon Thy word, For Thou haft fent me frefh fupplies, 2 When I was overwhelm'd with grief, Mourning, I fought Thee all in tears, And Thou haft been my fure relief, And Thou haft fweetly calm'd my fears, 3 Why, O my God, why fhould'ft Thou be To me fo infinitely kind ? Why fuch regard, — fuch love to me ? The reafon, Lord, -I- fain would find." 4 'Tis to exalt Thy fcv'reign grace, Thy condefcenfion and Thy care ; To lay me low before Thy face ; That I Thy goodnefs might declarer 5 O may Thy love be ftill my fong,- Thy honor be my fole employ, Jefus, whilft Thou my life prolong a Till I in Heaven my God enjoy .- — «&£%ix& — L X X I X . The upright love Thee. — cant. i. 4, a TESUS, Thy love is ftill my theme J O let me love Thee all my days ! Worthy art Thou of my efteem, Worthy of all my higheft praife. 7^ SONGS IN THE NIGHT, 2 All upright fouls Thy praife proclaim, And I'm a fharer in Thy joy ; O did the world but know Thy name, Thy praife would all the world employ. 3 They'd fcorn to mingle with the duft, And leave their Saviour far behind, They'd foon afTemble with the just, And ft rive their happinefs to find. 4 But, Lord, I fink with confcious fhame, My love is far below my will ; Quicken this evangelic flame, And let it burn more lively flill, 5 Jefus, whom I adore and love, Increafe my faith, and every grace, Till I, with all Thy faints above, Behold the beauties of Thy face. L X XX. [ / will remember the works of tke Lord, surely I will remember Thy wonders oj old. — ps. lxxvii. 1 1. 1 AWAY, my doubts, be gone, my fear, ' Jl\. The wonders of the Lord appear, The wonders that my Saviour wrought ; O how delightful is the thought ! 2 The wonders of redeeming love, When firft my heart was drawn above ; When firft I faw my Saviour's face, And triumph'd in His pajd'aing grace* SONGS IN THE NIGHT, 77 3 Purfue, my thoughts, this pleafing theme, 'Twas not a fancy nor a dream ; 'Twas grace defcending from the flues, And fhall be marv'llous in my eyes. 4 Long had I mourn'd, like one forgot, Long had my foul for comfort fought, Jefus was witnefs to my tears, And Jefus fweetly calm'd my fears. 5 He cleansM my foul, He chang'd my drefs, And cloath'd me with His righteoufnefs : He fpoke at once my lins forgiven, And I rejoic'd as if in Heaven. 6 How was I ftruck with fweet furprife, While glory (hone before my eves' ! How did I fing from day to day, And wifh'd to fing my foul away ! 7 The world with all its pomp withdrew, x Twas lefs than nothing in my view ; Redeeming love was all my theme, And life appear'd an idle dream. 8 I gloried in my Saviour's grace ; I fang my great Redeemer's praife ; My foul now long'd to foar away, And leave her tenement of clay. o. The powers of Hell in vain combin'd To tempt or interrupt my mind ; I faw, and fung in joyful (trains The monfter Satan held in chains. H2 78 SONGS IN THE NIGHT, 10 Thefe are the wonders I record, The marv'llous goodnefs of the Lord ; O for a tongue to fpeak His praife, To tell the triumphs of His grace I L XXX I. Who is This that comet k from Edom, with dyed gar' merits from Bozrali ? This that is glorious in His Appaiel, travelling in the grsatness oj His strength. ISA. Ixiii. 1. 1 "T7TT H O is this heavenly perfon, who- V V In garments dyed methinks I fee, That comes from Edom, dreft in woe, That comes from Bozrali unto me ? 2 Glory His blood-ftain'd robe adorns, His body torn with ftripes fevere, His facred head befet with thorns, His foul in agonies appear. 3 'Tis my Redeemer from above, Jefus, the Saviour ; — yes, 'tis He ?— . Great is His ftrength, and great His love ; He groan'd, He bled, He died for me. 4 New life His blood and wounds afford, My fins have made His forrows bleed, I'll go and meet my dearefl Lord, And tell Him how I hate the deed. 5 His dying love my foul conftrains, While thus I view Hisfuffeiings o'er, SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 79 *To hate the caufe of all His pains, To love His precepts more and more. 5 Now I'm engag'd by facred ties, I charge my heart no more to ftray From Him who dwells above the fkies, Nor grieve nor tempt my Lord away. ixxxn, / counsel thee to buy of Me gold, tried in the f re, that thou mayest be rick ; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed : and anoint thine eyes with eycsalve t that thou mayest see.— rev. iii. i»8- 1 ARISE, my foul, to Jefus fly, JT\. And caft thy fears away ; He will thine every want fupply, Make hafte, no longer flay, 2 Look how He (lands, and fmiles to give His glory and His grace ; He counfels finners to receive His robe of righteoufnefs. 3 Jefus the pureft gold appoints T' enrich the humble poor ; Who with His heavenly falve anoints In darknefs walks no more. 4 Ye drooping fouls that feek the Lord, Take courage and believe, For God is faithful to His word, Great grace you {hall receive. 80 SONGS IN THE NIGHT, 5 The wretched, deflitute, and blind Are thofe whom Chrift invite, A friend in Him they're fure to find Whofe power is infinite. — xe>$fS>e>< — LXXXIII. LONGING FOR PUBLIC WORSHIP. My soul longeth,yea even fainteth for the courts of the Lord, psal. lxxxiv. 2. j 1\ /f"Y God, how reftlefs is my mind ! JlVJL Penfive I lie from day to day, And, loth to be fo much confin'd, I figh my lonely hour.s away. 2 'Tis for Thy courts, O Lord, I long ; When fhall I in Thy houie appear ! When fhall I join the waiting throng, And mix in humble worihip there ? 3 Pd praife Thee for the meaneft place, To ftand as waiter at Thy gate ; Could I but there behold Thy face, I'd think the favour truly great. 4 I long to tread that happy ground Where oft my foul has richly fed ; To hear the gofpel's joyful found, To tafte fubftantial, living bread. 5 There have I often left my fears, When I have gone o'erwheim'd with grief, There have I left my wants and cares, And in returning fung relief. SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 8l 6 But now I'm left at home to mourn, . While in Thy courts Thy faints rejoice ; I pafs my fabbaths quite alone, In faid complaints I fpend my voice. 7 Jefus do Thou my ftrength renew ; Remove my weaknefs, heal my pain, That I may ferve and praife Thee too, O bring me to Thy houfe again. 8 O bring Thyfelf Thy graces near, And teach my foul to wait Thy will ; Then fhall I ferve and praife Thee here, And own Thee juft and righteous ftilL LXXX1V. GOING TO THE LORD'S SUPPER AFTER LONG CONFINEMENT. 1 -T7T THERE fhall I go but to my Lord, V V Who bled and died that I might live ? O let me now attend His word, He has eternal life to give. 2 Come, BleiTed Spirit, and confine My meditations on His love ; That I may fing of grace divine, And worfhip Him like thofe above. 3 My thoughts from trifling obje&s turn, Give me the conqueft over pride ; O may I look on Him and mourn ! For Him I pieic-'d and crucified* &2 SQNCS IN THENICHTV 4 O for the eye of faith', to kt My Saviour in His prieftly drefs fc As hanging on th' accurfed tree, To work my robe of righteoufnefs* 5 Enter, my foul, Hfs gates with praife, And thankfully adore His name Whofe mercy lengthens out thy days, • Wbofe love to thee is ftill the fame. — *2x*f|l©«@t»©< — ' LXXXVI. Prepare to meet thy GOD! — amos iv, 12. >3 "]V /TY life declines, my ftrength is gone* JLVi Difeafe and pains prevail 5 Death threatens to arreft me foon, My heart and flefh doth fail, 2 Soon muft I leave this body here, Soon muft my foul away ; O awful thought ! — my foul prepare For that tremendous day ! £ Soon muft I pafs the folemn teft, How foon, my judge ean tell 1 When He with fmiles fhall call me bleft, Or frown me down to hell. 4 O how fhall I prepare my heart Eternal life to gain ? Jesus, Thy grace, Thy ftrength imparl Or all I do is vain. £ I cannot for one fin atone, — 'I fwell with pride no more -j 84 SOU OS IN THE NIGHT. All the heft duties I have done I've reafon to deplore. 6 Jesus, on Thee, alone I lean, Do Th ou my foui prepare ; cleanie my heart from every fin, And nx Thy dwelling there. 7 Renew'd and juftified by grace, Complete I then fhall ftand, Before th' Almighty Father's face, When He my life demand. — *©*H*e* — LXXX V I I. J loathe it t I would not live al&ays.— job vii. 16. i TITHEN will my fweet releafe be figa'd* V V To quit this houfe of clay ? When fhall my fpirit, unconfin'd, To glory wing her way ? a O how t loathe this mortal life, 1 hate this flavifh fear ; 1 long to end this tedious ftrife With fin and forrow here. 3 I long to fee a fmiling God, In everlaftihg light; When fhall I reach' His bleft abode, And gain tfr enraptur'd fight ? 4 My tow'ring thoughts difdain to roll Amongft thefe earthly toys ; Jefus is dearer to my foul Than life with all its joys, SONGS IN THE NIGHT, 85 5 Make hafte, my days, fly fafter {till* And bring me to the place, To that delightful, holy hillj Where Jefus fhews His face* 6 Why am I chain'd to Earth fo long, Expos'd to every fnare ? When fhall I join the heavenly throng, And dwell for ever there ? — >o<@K2y — LXXX VIII. O that I had wings like a dove % for then would Ijly atuaj and be at rest. — ps. Iv. v. i |^\ F reft I hear, of reft I talk, V/ But reft I cannot fee ; O how laborious is my work, Eai th has no reft for me. 2 Hard do I toil with fins and woes. With unbelief and fears ; Satan doth all my work oppofe, My couch is wet with tears. 3 Weary with watchfulnefs I mourn^ And long to be away, Were I like doves on pinions borne? I'd fly without delay. 4 I'd mount above this earthly ball, And make my way to God ; Fain would I reft my weary foul In His fupreme abode. I u SaNGS IN THE NIC«T« 5 But, why, impatience, doft thou rife ? Depart, thou fource of ill ! Why fhould I fly and cleave the ikies, Before my Father's will ? 6 What if on earth I yet muft dwell, If Jefus is but near, Cheerful -I'll fight with fin and Hell, And overcome my fear. 7 No harm can come within the bounds Which His own hands have fet ; My foul fhall hide beneath His wounds* And find a fafe retreat. — xsx#-ex- LXXXIX. LONGING TO BE DISSOLVED. t f\ W H A T a vain and empty world is this ! V>^ And muft I travel on this barren ground r It can afford no true, fubftantial blifs ; Nothing but fin and forrow's to be found. 2 How little do I here enjoy of God ! At diffolution I could now rejoice ; I long to leave this gloomy, dark abode, And bid farewell to Earth and all its noife. 3 Fain would I fing, — " Farewell vain world, adieu ! " Farewell to all the allurements to fin : * Farewell my friends ! — a (hort farewell to you : " We part awhile, but foon fhall meet again. SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 87 4 " Farewell to pains, to weaknefs, and to cares ; " Farewell reproach, and poverty, and fhame ; " Farewell to ficknefs, mifery, and tears ; ** Farewell rev ilers of my worthlefs name." — £ Come Death, thou welcome meflenger, appear, I would embrace thee with extended arms ; T' untie the filken bands that hold me here, Inftead of horror, thou (halt come with charms. 6 My finis pardon'd, and thy fting is gone, I fing the vicVry through my Saviour's blood 1 Eager I pant for my celeftial crown ; O when mall I appear before my God ! xc. LONGING FOR GLORT. 1 TT ASTE that delightful, awful day, XJL When this my foul mail leave her clay,- Mount up and make her laft remove, And join the church of Chrift above. 2 Vain world ! what are your toys to me ? 'Tis Jefus that I want to fee : I'd leave my friends, my life, my all, And thus addrefs this earthly ball : — 3 " Farewell, no more I tread your ground, " No more I need the gofpel found ; " My feet have reach'd the heavenly more, " I know no imperfection more. 4 " Let friends no more my fufferings mourn, " Nor view my relicks with concern : S3 SONGS IN THE NIGHT, " ceafe to drop the pitying tear, " I'm got beyond the rtfach of fear." — Through tribulation (harp and long I'm brought to join the finlefs throng ; Glory to God for every woe, For every pain I felt below. All glory to the Lamb of God, My robes are fpotlefs through His blood ; 'Tis through His free and fov'reign grace I now behold his blifsful face. Worthy the Lamb that once was flain In glory infinite to reign : To Him unceafmg praife be given, By all on Earth, and all in Heaven. — xSx^'O* — XCI. OW have I fpent in fighs and tears A tedious feries of my years j Oft have I fought a kind releafe, But, ah ! my forrows ftill increafe. 2 Through my whole frame my weaknefs grow, Sicknefs and pain increafing too, Troubles on every fide await, And woes infuperably great. 3 Where is the pity of a God ? See, how I groan beneath His rod ! How long will He in wrath chaftife, And difregard my mournful cries ? 4 Oppreft, impatient, lo ! I cry, And wifli, and pray, and long to die $ SONGS IN THE NIGHT* 89 When wilt thou, Death, thefe eyelids clofe, And fet me free from all my woes ? 5 Thus did my difcontented heart From God through unbelief depart ; jefus, my Shepherd, faw me {tray, And drew my thoughts a different way* 6 Why do I droop, and pine, and faint ? Why, O my foul this ram complaint ? Be ftill, left thou the Lord provoke, And urge from Him a heavier ftroke* 7 Shall one fo vile as I complain ? I, that deferve eternal pain ; Shall I arraign the Almighty here, And charge Him with a hand fevere ? 8 No : 'tis in mercy, now I fee, Each woe is fent that troubles me ;• 'Tis for fome good, fome gracious end,— - 'Tis from my Father and my Friend. 9 'Tis He, — the infinitely good, The great, the Juft, the holy god ! — Peace, then, my foul ! thy grief remove, Thine is a God of truth and love. 10 Is this His way to purge my drofs f Then let me welcome every crofs t Let unbelief no more repine, Nor fpurn at goodnefs fo divine. 1 1 With frame I wipe away my tears, And caft on God my grief and fears ; My foul lies proftrate in the duft, And owns that all His ways are ju'ft. 12 gt SONGS IN THE NIGHT. XCII J am affliBed and ready to die from my youth up* fs, lxxxviii. 15. 3 ][TOW are 1117 powers all tun'd to mourfl ATI O'er my afflicted lot ! Up from my youth my health is gone, And pleafure is forgot. 3 How are my blooming years difgracM With pains and heavy cares ! How is my fprightlinefs defac'd With fighs, and groans, and tears ! 3 How is my envy prone to rife When I the healthy view ; How do I raiie my plaintive cries, And wifti for foundnefs too. 4 If all the Earth could be my lot, With all its glittering wealth, I'd not withhold the fmalleft fpot, * But give it all for health. j 5 If gold could but my health reftore, And let me free from pain, I I'd beg the boon from door to door, And purchafe health again. 6 But where is now my humble truft In God's abfiighty voice ? Why do I think of yellow duft, Which often health deftroys ? SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 91 7 How vain are all the drugs and fkill Of great phyficians here ! If God denies a bleffing ftill , I languifh in their care. 8 Jefus with whom companions dwell, And power to wound and heal, Speak Thou the word, and I am well, Diftrefs no more I feel. 9 Speak, Lord, and Thou fhalt have the praife? In mercy fet me free ; So fhall the remnant of my days Be fpent alone to Thee. — >o^>ex — XCIII. Lord, I am oppressed, undertake jor me* is. xxxviii. 14. 1 T E S U S, my Advocate and King, *J Of power omnipotent poffeft, To Thee my every woe I bring, Who undertakes for fouls oppreft. 2 Lord, I'm oppreft with pains and cares, Oppreft with fin, oppreft with grief, Oppreft with unbelief and fears, O undertake to fend relief. 3 My heart is hard and ftubborn ftill, Foolifh and vain my thoughts arife ) O- condefcend to bow my will, O undertake to rriake me wife, gfc SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 4 Great Mediator now appear, Let me Thy foil falvation know ; O manifeft Th y power here, And lay me at Thy footftool low, 5 Jefus, I leave my caufe with Thee, Plead Thy dear wounds before the throne ^ intercede with God for me, And fhower thefe needful bleffings down* XC1V. my God, I am ashamed^ and blush to lift up my face i& rk.-EZRA ix, 6. 1 T E T me lie proftrate.on the ground, J j And veil my blufhing face, So deep, fo dreadful is my wound, I feek a hiding place. 2 v Twas fin that made this wound in me^ Then let me hate its name ; 'Twas fin, O whither fhall I flee ? I lie confus'd in fhame. 3 Afham'd to lift my face to God, So great my crimes appear : 1 dread the vengeance of His rod, His furious wrath I fear. 4 What am I in Jehovah's hand ? The facred page will tell : He can at once my foul demand, And fink it down to Hell. SONGS- IN THE NIGHT, 93 5 Well may I tremble at His power, He's holy, juft, and wife 1 Why has He fpar'd me to this hour, Whofe guilt for vengeance cries I 6 Let His long-fuffering love and grace Each grateful thought employ, Which far more willingnefs difplays To fave than to deflroy. 7 Jefus yet (lands before the throne, And pleads for ilnners there ; Then let me lean on Him alone Till He fubdues my fear. 8 By faith in Him I'll now prefume To lift my eyes to- Heaven ; He will my fecret groans perfume, And fliew my fins forgiven. — >o-^o< xcv. 1 will speak in the bitterness of my soul.— job x. i, N this extreme diftrefs of foul How can 1 but complain ! I can no more my fpeech controul,. No more from tears refrain. 2 Great is my anguifh, deep my grief, O whither fhall I flee ? Far is my foul from all relief, No help on Earth I fee. 3 My fpirits and my ftrength are gone> And I from day to day 94 SONGS IN THE NIGHT-, Sit, quite difconfolate, alone, And figh my hours away. 4 O grievous lot ! O heavy woe I Muft I this crofs fuftain So long as I a feeling know, So long as life remain? 5 Why do my forrows yet increafe, And flow on every fide ? Why is my foul depriv'd of peace? Of comfort why denied ? 6 Why am I chaften'd everyday ? My nights why fpent in pain ? Why fnould deliverance longer ftay ? Are all my prayers vain ? 7 Why fb myfterious are T»hy ways, - And dreadful in my fight ? Shew me, that I may lifp Thy praife, - And ferve Thee with delight. 8 O chafe this darknefs from my mind;, And raife my thoughts above, That I may full falvation find, And celebrate Thy love. — >o-#i-ex- xcvi. Surely lam more brutish than cb/.-prov. xxx. 2, R I N G all the brutifh and unwife B Who neither know nor love That God who made the earth and Aries, Who reigns fuprerne above j SONGS IN THE NIGHT* '95 -t Set forth their bafe ingratitude In all its blacked hue, I'd mingle with this hateful brood, As vile'ft of the -crew. ,3 Alas ! they -never, never felt The power of quick'ning grace ; They never faw their nature's guilt 3 Nor felt their helpleflhefs. 4 They ne'er enjoy'da Saviour's love ; They ne'er eonvers'd with Heaven $ "Ne'er heard Jehovah from above Pronounce their fins forgiven. 5 But I thefe mercies have enjoy'd In wifdom's facred ways ; Then how were all my powers employ'd In grateful drains of praife ! 6 Jefus, I knew, endured my fhame Upon th' accurfed tree, How did I venerate His name Who fuffer'd there for me 1 7 My heart awhile with ardottr burn'd, T£s grace I could not hide, Yet I to fin again return'd, And all His work denied. 13 Now let me take the lowed place, And chide my brutilh heart, Which thus abus'd the riched grace That Mercy could impart. 9 Here is ingratitude, indeed, In all its deeped dains 5 96 SONGS IN THE NIGHT, Here let my forrows ever feed While life and breath remains. 10 Yes : I'll repent till Jefus fmile, And ftiews my fins forgiven : Til mourn ingratitude fo vile,— « If poffible, — in Heaven. XCVII. Hide me under the shadow ofTky wings.™ -vs. xvii. &. i T E S US, my Hiding-place Thou art, J My Rock, my Refuge, and my All : My mis'ries fwell, O take my part; In mercy fave me, or I fall. £ My foul is overwhelm'd with grief, My heart with forrows well nigh broke ; Hafte and appoint fome kind relief, Or I muft die beneath the ftroke. 3 Pity my weaknefs, O my God, My woes unable to fuftain; Lighten the great, the heavy load, And mix fome pleafure with my pain. 4 Leave not my drooping foul alone, Left I difhonor Thy great name ; || Left Satan mock myndoleful moan, And laugh exulting o'er my fhame. j Hide me, I tremble at Thy power, I fe*r Thy rod, Thou King of Kings'? Hide me, till all Thy wrath is o'er, Beneath the fbadow of Thy wings. SONGS IN THE NIGHT. $7 XCVI1I. He will regard the prayer of the destitute.— ? s. cii, ] ) 1 TOW fuitable this word to me, jLJL A deititute, diftrefTed worm ! Lord, I will make my moan to Thee ; Do Thou Thy promife now perform. 2 Hear me, for I am deftitute, Opprefs'd with grief and heavy woes ; Do not defpife my humble fuit, For I in Thee my truft repofe. 3 I can to none but Thee complain^ O let Thy faithfuluefs appear ; Look with companion on my pain* And bring Thy tender mercies near, 4 Regard me in my low e.ftate, Perplex'd and griev'd ori every fide J Hclplefs and poor, my wants are greatj Let them by Thee be all fupplied. 5 On Thee alone for help I call, Pll truft an arm of Hefh no more ; Fain would I make my God my all, But Thou my God muft give the power, 6 O let Thy Spirit now defcend, And work a ftronger faith within j Be Thou my Father and my Friend, And now eternal life bring in. K $8 SONGS IN THE NIGHT, XCIX. Let the sighing of the prisoners come before Thee, ps. lxxix, 11. i HP 1 Thee, my God, I make my moan, X Lend Thou a gracious ear-: Let eveiy figh, let every groan, Before Thy throne appear. -2 For friends my forrows fwell too high, My woes they cannot bear ; Helplefs and deititute I lie, Expos'd to every fnare. ,3 Whilft Thou, O Lord, my foul forfakc 1 mud indulge my grief; O let my heart with for row break, So I may gain relief. 4 If here I muft not fee Thy face Be life no longer given ; Finifh at once Thy work of grace,- And take me up to Heaven. 5 Hafte, Lord, my foul is all diftrefs'd, Diftracling fears arife ; let Thy bofom be my reft, No other can fuifice. 6 Come, O my dear Redeemer, come, How tedious is Thy ftay ; 1 long till Thou fhalt take me home? And fend my fears away. SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 99, Turn Thee unto me, and have mercy upon me, for lam desolate and cjflitfed. — ps. xxv. 16. o GOD, how mournful is my cafe ! How high my forrows rife ! Shew me again Thy fmiling face, And hear my doleful cries. 2 How great my weaknefs and my pain i How far from all relief! No friend to hear my foul complain, Or mitigate my grief. 3 Near to the gate of death I lie, And fear to enter in : Hear me, O God, before I" die, And cheer my foul again. 4 Doth God in wrath my foul abhor ? Why am I thus diftrefl ? For Jefus* fake, Thy hand withdraw,. And give my Spirit reft. 5 Turn unto me Thy gracious eye, O Thou Eternal God ! Before I faint, before I die Beneath Thy chaft'ning rod. , 6 While o'er Thy fainting, dying duft, The rifing billows roll, Help me to make Thy name my truft, And cheer my drooping foul, 100 fcOXGS IN THE NIGHT* 7 While I exert my feeble powers, And fend my groans above, Lighten, O Lord, my gloomy hours, With Thy forgiving love. CI, 1 would seek unto God } and uvto God would I commit my cause, which doeth great things, and unsearchable - t jrarvcllous thhg; &i:hout number.— -J OB v. 8, 9. 1 r-^ O God I'd feek in each diftrefs, JL To God I'd find a near accefs ; * He has an arm which can fuftain, And He allows me to complain. 2 He never gave my foul a charge Not on my forrows to enlarge ; He bids me bring my troubles near, And fpeak without referve or fear. 3 Welcome I am in ev'ry cafe To meet Him at His throne of grace ? He will not one complaint oppofe, Nor tire while I repeat my woes. 4 O for a fupplicating frame, For ftronger faith in Jefus* name ! Lord, take each obftacle away, My foul would now, in earneit, pray. j 'Twas from Thine hand my trials came* Thine hand can foon remove the fame 5 Thou art a wonder-working God, And faithfulnefs attends Thy rod, frONGS IN THE NIGHT. £01 Thou doft what none can imitate, Things as unfearchable as great ; Thy marvellous, myfterious ways Tranfcend, while they demand, all praife. en. 'The cup which My Father hath given me shall I not drink- it t — john xviii. li. 1 T S this unpleaflr.g cup now given X By Thee, my Father, Lord of Heaven ? let me then in filence ftand, And meekly take it at.Thine.hand. 2 If Thou wilt help me to believe 1 can this bitter draught receive ; Though mix'd with wormwood and with gall, My foul in faith can drink it all. 3 Thou know'ft I. am but feeble duft, Too apt Thy goodnefs to miftruft ; But let not darknefs veil my mind, Let me not think my God unkind. 4 Still, Saviour, let me fee Thy face, \ And reft my foul in Thine embrace ; Send down frefh cordials from above, And mix this woe with figns of love. $ Doft Thou not bear Thy children's grief? Then I from Thee fhall gain relief; Yes, by Thy grace and love divine, Though all unworthy, I am Thine. K 2 102 SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 6 Vengeance is not prepar'd for me, My cup of wrath was drank by Thee ; let my foul forbear to frown, And drink this milder mixture down. 7 Lord, while its bitter flavour lafl, Let Thy rich love be my repaft ; Oft as the tafte return again Let heavenly joys abforb the pain. cm. Why art thou cast down, my soul, and why art thou disqui- eted within me : hope then in God, for I shall yet praist Him. — ps. xlii. n. i "T7T7" H Y thus caft down, my foul ? V V Why do(l thou yield to fear, And ponder o'er the roll Of guilt and darknefs here ? Shake off thy grief, And foar above, There's fure relief In fov'reign love. a "Why do I thus complain And bow my drooping head \ Cheer up, my foul, again, Thy Saviour is not dead : Jefus, thy Lord, Is ftill the fame, Believe His word, And trull His name. SONGS IN THE NIGHT. IO3 3 What, though He hides His face, Nor will one fmile afford, Thou yet may'ft plead His grace, And venture on His word : Still all thy truft On Him repofe, And own Himjuft In all thy woes. I Why fhould diftreffing thoughts, Why fhould diftracling cares Still aggravate thy faults, And urge thy flowing tears ? No longer fight Againft His rod ; But ftill delight And hope in God. civ. Will the Lord cast cffjor ever, and will He be favourable m more F—ps. lxxvii. 7. 1 TESUS, when I can fee Thy face, J And feel the influence of Thy grace, I can all outward woes fuftain, And own Thee juft in every pain. 2 But, O how high my forrows rife, How fad, how doleful are my cries, How infuppor table my fmait When Thou refufe to cheer my heart ! 3 The frowns of friends whom I revere May caufe mj eyes to drop a tear : 104 SONGS IN THE NIGHT, But the difpleafure of my God Proves to my Soul the (harped rod. 4 Lord, wherefore doft Thou hide Thy face ; Why doft Thou (till withhold Thy grace ? 1 aik, — while I my fins deplore, — Is mercy gone for evermore ? 5 Will God no more regard my woes ? No more fuftain ? No more compofe ? What ! — am I from His prefence drove*. No more to tafte or feel His love ? 6 Jefus, I dill refolve, by grace, To truft Thy word, and feek Thy face,-. Low at Thy feet I'll plead Thy care, And, if I muft, I'll perifh there, — K2xKp^<2>«— - cvir. He maketh me to He down in green pastures, He leadeth me be- side the still zcaiers — ps. xxiii. 2. i TESUS, my mourning foul doth iead, J And tells me where my faith mud feed, Strait I behold His love divine, And hear Him whifper, — " I am thine. a "lam thy Rock, thy Hiding-place, " Come view the riches of My grace !— " On Me I took thy guilt and fhame, " Obey'd and fuffer'd in thy name. 3 " 'Twas for thy fins, — it was for thee ** I hung upon the accurfed tree : " Come, feaft upon My bleeding love, " And let My grace thy grief remove !'* 4 My mourning now ftiall turn to praife, I'll fing the wonders of His grace ; Awake my foul, and heart, and tongue, Praife Him to whom all praife belong i SONGS IN TItE NIGHT. l6f j How fweet the paftures where I rdve ! How rich the fruits of Jems' love ! Here would my foul for ever ftay, No more, my Shepherd, let me ftray. 6 Lord, let me never change my place. Till I behold Thee face to face ; And when I join the finlefs throng Wonder and love mail tune my fong. *9r cvnr. / bear in my body the marks cftkeL&rd Jesus. gal. vi. 17. 1 r-p HOUGH T of finnefs am the chief, X Marks I fudain of Jefus' grief ; To His my woes fome likenefs bear, And in His fufferings I fhare, 2 Was He in grief forfook by all, Contemn'd and fcorn'd by great and fmall I I too in filent fadnefs mourn, ReviPd, defpis'd, and left alone. 3 Did He in poverty appear ? This is a badge I daily wear, Did perfecution Him purfue ? Behold I'm perfecuted too. 4 Did He for fins on others found Receive a deep, a mortal wound ? In me this mark is alfo known, 1 fmart for foiiies not my own. iOB SONGS IN THE NIGHT, 5 Was He frith fore temptations vex'd ? With fad fuggeftions I'm perplex'd. His life was one fad fcene of woe : Mine is a fcene of for row too. 6 But let me fink with confcious fhame Before the Great, Eternal Name . Let me my pride and boafting quell, And mourn, while I the difference telL 7 Though Jefus did in itfljfows roll* Holy and fmlefs was His foul *, But I, a wretch, conceiv'd in fin, Am all unholy and unclean. 3 How did the furTering Saviour mine In love and meeknefs all' divine ! But my impatient, wretched heart Is prone at every crofs to ftart. 9 What though by others' fins I'm pam'd, By me their guilt is hot fuftain'd : But Cnrift beneath His Father's frown* Suffer'd for others' fins alone. io He is Supreme of Heaven and Earth j I am a worm, and nothing worth ; Life for the dead His fuffcrings bought, But mine, alas ! can merit nought. 1 1 Like His, fuch agonizing pain No moital ever could fuftuin : Then blufh, my foul, from hence forbear With Chritl's afflictions to compare, SONCS IN THE NICHT, 109 C 1 X 1 will look to the Lord, I will wait for the God of my Salvi* tion, my God will hear me.*— mic. vi. 7. 1 "a JT Y God ! — for I can call Thee mine,- * JLVx My Father and my Friend 5 Am I not Thine, forever Thine ?— • To Thee my groans afcend. 3 When helpers fail on every hand I look to Thee, O Lord, My doubts and fears through faith withftand* And truft Thy faithful word. J In all my (traits, in all my woes* For Thee, my God, T wait ; My foul can all her truft repofe On faithfulnefs fo great. 4 My God ! — How pleafing is the found !-* What can I wifh for more ? In Thee, my God, my foul has found An everlafting ftore. 'j My God,-^I ftill repeat the cry,— Bring Thy falvation near ; My God, do Thou my wants fupply, And manifeft Thy care; 6 My God will hear me when 1 call ; My God will fend relief : While THou, my God, art All in AH I cannot yield to grief. 7 This word can lighten every care !— o While I can fay, — My God,— L 410 SONGS IN TkE NlGH^?; Fulnefs in poverty I (hare, And fatisfying food. S Eternal thanks to Thy great Name, Whofe grace hath made me Thine e Nothing fhall put my foul to fname While I can call Thee mine. 9 Let grateful thanks to Jeius rife, Who bought me with His blood. Who gave His life afaciifice Ere I could fay, — My God. IO Joyful in tribulation now I blefs my God and King ; Of mercy, and of judgment too, With cheerful voice t fing. i i My God, Thou haft rebuk v d my fears,- They fled at Thy command : I leave my foul with all her cares In Thine almighty hand. In every thing give thanks, for this is the willo/Godt I THESS. V. I'd. 'I THINK my table richly fpread, And blefs the Lord for wholefome breads While nothing more appears ; With thib I am not left to ftarve, This is far more than I deferve^ And better than my fears. i I fear'd left difcontent mould turn* And caufe my appetite to fpurri Againft a meal fo dry } SONGS IN THE NIGHT, 11% J3at fan&ified by prayer 'tis fweet, More fo than all the fav'ry meat That dainty miners buy. 3 "My God, how infinitely kind Art Tlioa to reconcile my mind To all Thy iov'reign will ! Content with nothing I mall be If I may but converfe with Thee, And have Thy prefcnce ftill. 4 No one mall hear my tongue complain If Thou my fpirit will fuftain, And fill my foul with peace ; My gratitude mail ftill afcend, I'll love and pvaife Thee to the end r Till all my wants mail ceafe, 5 Humbly for thofe I'd intercede Who fufFer poverty and need Without contentment given : O teach them by their wants to pray, And then do Thou Thy power difplay, And fend them bread from Heaven. 6 In earned I would bear in mind The poor, the fick, the long confin'd> With fuch I fympathize ; Tofuch 1 feel companion move, To fuch I would appear in Jove, And wipe their weeping eyes* j O may their forrows fweetly lead Their hungry, fainting fouls to feed On Chrift, the Living Bread j 112 SONGS IN THE NIGHT, So fhall they patiently endure, And find their happinefs fecure In Him, their Living Head. 8 Come, O ye helplefs and diftrefs'd, Lean on a Saviour's loving hreaft, In Him there's fweet repofe ; He will fupport, He will fuftain, He^ll bear a part in every pain, And fanctify your woes. 9 The time is fhort. you foon fhall rife, And bid farewell to weeping eyes, Ancl reach the heavenly fhore ; O pleafing thought, my foul, prepare To meet thy fellow-fufferers there, And aid them to adore. io There fhall our now-complaining fouls Drink of thofe overflowing bowls Of God's unchanging love ; There Jefus, our Exalted Head, Shall feed us with delicious bread, And all our wants remove. — «Sx@><3* — CXI. RENOUNCING THB WORL». I rri ELL me no more of earthly toys, X Of finful mirth, and carnal joys; The things I lov'd before ; Let me but view my Saviour's face, And feel His animating grace, And I deftre no more. BOXGS IN THE NIGHT. ll£ 2 Tell me no more of praife and wealth, Tell me no more of eafe and health, For thefe have all their fnares; Let me but know my fins forgiven, But fee my name enrolled in Heaven, And I am free from cares. 3 Tell me no more of lofty tow'rs, Delightful gardens, fragrant bow'rs, For thefe are trifling things ; The little room for me defign'd Will fuit as well my eafy mind, As palaces of kings. 4 Tell me no more of crowding guefls, Of fumptuous feafts and gaudy drefs, Extravagance and wafte ; My little table, only fpread With wholefome herbs and wholefome bread,- Will better fuit my tafte. 5 Give me the Bible in my hand, A heart to read and underftand, . And faith to truft the Lord :-. I'd fet alone from day to day, Or urge my company to (lay,. Nor wifh to rove abroad. KS^'O- CXII. The King hath brought me into His chambers ; we will be glad and rejoice in Thee; we will remember Thy love more than wine — CANT.i. 4. 1 np* H E Lord of Lords, and King of Kings X Into His fecret chamber brings His worfhippers fmcere 3 114 SONGS IN THE NIGHT, Then their cnraptur'd fouls rejoice, And fing His praife with heart and voice> And hold communion dear. 2 To me, lefs than the lead of all, This favour comes, when faith can call On God for quickening grace ; " Draw me," — my foul in earneft cried,— " Draw me, my God, I would abide " Alone in Thine embrace." — 3 My God in mercy heard my cry, And fent and drew my thoughts on high Into His holy place ; I enter'd, but with holy fear, And faw my dear Redeemer there, And feafted on His grace ! 4 Jefus, my foul mail ne'er forget A favour fo divinely great : I'll keep Thy love in mind, And prize it as my chiefeft good, Above my neceflary food, Above the richeft wine. C X i 1 1 . And Ust 1 shoild be exalted above measure., through the abun- dance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in theftsh, the mi%senger of Satan to bvjftt me, lest 1 should be exalted above measure.— 9. cor. xii. 7. J E S U S exalts His fav'rites high, And lifts their fouls above, SONGS IN THE NIGHT. II5 When dreft in grace, approaching nigh, He manifefts His love. 2 Seafons like thefe great joy create, Our hearts within us burn, Our fouls oft think in fuch a ftate, Night will no more return.— 3 " Jefus is come and teftifies " He never will depart ; " I now am fpotlefs in His eyes, " And welcome to His heart. 4 " Much of His grace to me is given, " What happinefs I feel ! " Cheerful I'll walk the road to Heav'n, " Nor fear the pow'rs of Hell. 5 " Now fhall His graces mine abroad, " And all the world fhall fee, *' How much I love my deareft Lord, " Who fuffer'd death for me."- 6 This is the zeal young converts fhow, While glory ftrikes their eyes ; ? Tis but a little that they know ; Experience makes them wife. 7 When wifdom fends a pungent thorn, To drive their pride away ; How foon they think themfelves forlorn ; Who fo oppreft as they ? 8 Let but the pow'rs of darknefs rage, And Jefus hide His face ; With Hell they tremble to engage, Where, now, their boafted grace . ? Il6 SONGS IN THE NIGHT, 9 Now they complain — How vain their minds, Corruption grows too ftrong ; Satan again their fpirit binds, How mournful is their fong ! io Now they perceive their ftrength is fmall, And cry for help from Heaven ; Jefus in mercy hears them call, And grace again is given. ! i With humbling views of felf and fm> They now bewail their pride ; And now with ftronger faith begin In Jefus to confide. 12 'Tis needful then to bear the thorn, Humility to learn ; Leaft felf-conceit mould rife to fcora, And we to fin return. -*5>$ CX1V. And he came thither unto a cave, and the zootd of the Lord came to him and said, what dost thou here, Elijah f I KINGS XJX. 9. 'M This is forbidden ground ; Behold, what dangers now appear ! What darknefs waits around { 2 What doft thou in this cave Of unbelief and fear ? Jefus is able ftill to fave, On Him call all thy care. SONGS IN THE NIGHT. Uf 3 Arife, and hade away, Purfue the heavenly road ; Thy duty now forbids thy ftay j Obey the voice of God. 4 He will His aid afford, And (hew a fmilingface ; Nor fhouldft thou find thy tafk fo hard Wouldft thou but truft His grace. 5 Mourn then thine unbelief, And from its power depart ; Henceforth let fin have all thy grief, And Jefus all thy heart. 6 Lord, give me faith to rife, Let love affift my flight ; I'd quit this earth and cleave the fkies, And fing in endlefs light. — *©^-0< — cxv. Against Thee % Thee only have I sinned and done this evil in Thy Jjghi. — vs. li. 4. i Y?1 AINST Thee, Thou Holy, Juft, and Wife, VJP" 'Gainft Thee, how high my crimes arife ! 'Gainft Thee, whom angels bow before \ 'Gainft Thee, whom faints with awe adore ! % 'Gainft Thee, Thou good and gracious God ? 'Gainft Thee, my only fafe abode ! 'Gainft Thee, on whom my all depend ! 'Gainft Thee, my Father, and my Friend ! 3 'Gainft Thee, who made Thy richeft grace To fhine fo bright before my face ; Xl8 S.ONC.S IN THE NIGHT. Who gave Thy Son my foul to fave, From Hell, from fin, und from the grave I. 4 Who did I let my Saviour go ? Why did I grieve His Spirit fo ? Why did my heart f6 ftubborn prove To fin againft fuch wond'rous love. 5 Why did I fo forget the Lord ? Why did T fo negled Irs word ? Why fcoin to bow the ftubborn knee To Him who bcw'd the Heaven's for me l ; 6 Why am I not in deep defpair ? Why does a gleam of hope appear I Was ever creature fo deprav'd ? Was ever fuch a (inner fav'd ? 7 G let me now in dutl repent, And mourn my will to evil bent ; Weep on, mine eyes ! relent, my heart, And let my confcience feel the fmart ! 8 While Jefus {hews His pard'ning blood I'll mourn rny vile ingratitude : Lord, take this wand'ring heart of mine> And fet it as a feal on Thine. — x£>«^o — CXVI. Thffe are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their roues, and made them white in the blood of the Lumb.-~ re v. vii. 14. 'L O O K, O my foul, within the veil, View that unnumber'd throng. SONC.S IN THE NIGHT. Ii§ \Vhofe jo ys can never, never fail, While jefus is their fong. 2 O happy fouVs ! for ever freed From fin and every fnare, They reign with their exalted head And palms of victory bear. 3 They glory in their conq'ring God, And fee Him as He is : Their robes are fpotlefs through His bloody Their happinefs like His. 4 But I am in a world of woe, Acquainted ftili With grief; Ami&ion I'm ordain'd to know, When (hall I get relief ? 5 They once were fore diftrefVd, like mej Till Heaven fubdued their fear ; They fail'd o'er tribulation's fea Before they landed there. <5 Then may I live by faith on God, On every promife given ; And Rill confide in Jefus' blood, And wait refign'4 for Heaven, jefus will furely bring me there In His appointed time ; On Him, my foul, caft all thy care? Rely alone, on Him. m 123 IONCS IN TrtE NICHT, CXVII. Behold, lain alive for evermore, —rev. i. iS» t T JESUS, art afcended high, J. « No more to fuffer, bleed, or die* I live, I live, My name is Love : I reign with God Supreme above* i Behold, I live for evermore, My love's an everlafting ftore, I live, to plead the finner's caufe, To magnify Jehovah's laws. 5 I live to hear my children's criesi I ^ve to wipe their weeping eyes, I live to fanclify their woes, I live to conquer ail their foes. 4- 1 live to help in each diftrefs, I live t' enrich their fouls with grace i I live to pour my Spirit down, I live t* infure their heavenly crown. $ O let believing fouls rejoice, And glory in their happy choice ! Let gratitude their hearts * npire, And raife their hallelujahs b;ghef. $ My foul fhal! blefs the joyful hour When firft I felt the GofpeVs power ; And fmg His grace thiough endlefs day, Who taught a child to praiie and pray. &ONCS IN THE NIGHT, 12V CXVIII. PRAISING GOD FOR A PLENTIFUL HARVEST, i V~\ LEI* Jehovah's liberal hand \J Be own'd and furtg through all the land 'Tis He that fends a plenteous ftorei His name let every foul adore. 2 Let undeferved goodnefs raife Our admiration and our praife s Such vile, rebellious iinners are Unworthy of the fmalleft (hare. 3 But, how does mercy yet abound ! How is the year with' plenty cr own'd -' For man and bead a rich fupply Is wifely order'd from on high. 4 'Tis God who makes the Earth to yield, He gives increafe to every field ; The fragrant herb, the fruitful tree, From God receive fertility. 5 Help us to feed with grateful hearts* On what Thy bounteous hand imparts. And let Thy mercies all combine To ripdn us for joys divine. 6 let Thy goodnefs teach the poor . The riches of Thy grace t' implore ! And let the rich from henceforth prove ; In fpirit poor, and rich in love. M 122 SONGS IN THE NIGHT." # cx I X. TO YOUNG WOMEN. Beauty is vain , but the woman that /caret h the Lord, she $haU be praised. — pro v. xxxj. 30. TJ O W oft doth beauty lead to fin, JTjL And tempt the heart to ft ray 5 It charms awhile, then hides again, And foon it fades away ! 2 Not all the art, and pains, and care Of men can make it fure ; Nor can the faireft of the fair The tranfient blifs fecure. 3 Sicknefs and pain may foon difgrace The mod admired charms ; Soon muft they fleep in death's embrace, And lofe their lovely forms. 4 Hew vain is beauty, then, my Mufel Unworthy of thy lays ; Turn, and a nobler fubjeft chufe, Let virtue have thy praife. £ How wife is (he whofe conftant care Purfues the heavenly road ; She (hall the Eternal's favour mare* And every real good. £ She ever fhuns the fnares of vice \ How circumfpect her ways ! Wife in fimplicity fhe is ; Unfought her gen'ral praife. SONGS IN THE NIGHT. }2% 7 If fhe is call'd to mingle fouls, How cautious is her choice : No vain pretence her love controuls, She l'corns the flatterer's voice. S United, fee, illuftrious mines, The tender, prudent wife ; Humility her foul refines, Grace governs all her life. 9 What undiiTembled love fhe bears To him who has her hand : How does fhe foften all his cares, And all his woes attend ! i6 Is fhe a friend ? — How kind and true ! Her charity how pure 1 Her friendship is not* like the dew That pafTes in an hour. i ! She mail be prais'd when beauty fails, And years and age encreafe : She mall be bleft while grace prevails, And end her days in peace. cxx. FOR THE KfATIOSV The eyts of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His cars are open to their cry. — ps, xxxiv. 15. 1 Q A Y, is this wild, corrupted nation O Bleft with a few who feek the Lord ? Say, is there one in every ftation Who loves t f obey Jehotah's word ?' 1J>4 SONGS IN THE NIGHT, 2 Are "all agreed t'increafe the fadnefs Of this dark and gloomy time ? Do all run on in headftrong madnefs, And fcorn repentance for the crime. 3 Is this, indeed, our fad condition ? No : let me blefs the God of Grace ! There are a few who with contrition Lament for fin before His face. 4 Let me encourage the'r confeflion, Their ftrong entreaties for this land ! Though 'tis a rime of great tranfgreffion, Yet, furcly, God is ftill at hand. 5 Ye humble fouls, pray without ceaiing, To you the Lord will lend an ear ; While Ins and judgments are increafing, O pray in faith and perferere. € O pray, nor be too much dejected, Afk all in Jefus' worthy name ! Your r uit fhall never be rejected, Through Him we may forgivenefs claim. 7 Come, finners,join in .each petition, Nor tempt the Lore! by your delay : He gives repentance and remifhon To all who do fincerely pray. 8 Let every foul in every ftation Join their affi dance : — who can tell But God may turn and blefs this nation, And fend contention down to Hell. SONGS IN THE NIGHT. I25 C X X I . I NATIONAL FAST, FEB. 10, I779. Let the skies pour down righteousness. — isa, xlv. 8, J TESUS, Thou God of Nations bend, J The Ikies, and let the rain defcend, But not Thy wrath. — In mercy blefs This land with fhowers of righ'teoufnefs, 2 Pour down fome tokens of Thy love j £ Impending punifhment remove : Pour down the Spirit of Thy grace, That every foul may feek Thy face. 3 Forbid that Britain 'e-er fhould be Forfaken* utterly by Thee ! Let not Thy fore difpleafure reft Upon a nation fo diftreft. 4 Her woes, her poverty, her need, With Thy compailion we would plead > Enrich her, Lord, in every place. With all the plenitude of grace. 5 Water each facred fpot of ground Where'er the feeds of truth are found > And make the fruits of Zion's hill The glory of Britannia ftill, 6 Why fhould this once high-favoured Ifle Be ever banidi'd from Thy fmile ? Let not our fin our ruin prove, In wrath defcend not, but in love> Ma 126 SONGS IV THE NIGHT. [The twelve following pieces have been added since the first edition was published.] CXXIT. Hold Thou me up and I shall be safe.~~2S. cxix 1 17. 1 np O Thee, again, my gracious God, A I lift my heart and eyes, Thou art my only Safe abode, Thou only juft and wife, 2 In Thee for every needful grace My drooping foul confide ; Keep me, O Lord, in every place, Secure on every fide. i 3 Be Thou, my Guardian, ever near, Thy prefence I intreat ; Keep me, O keep me in Thy fear, Uphold my Aiding feet. 4 The paths I tread are ftrew'd with fhares, In mercy take my part : Let not applaufes wound my ears, Nor cenfures vex my heart. 5 Left I mould once difgrace Thy caufe, Make me, O Lord, to grow Deaf both to cenfure and applaufe, And dead to all below. 6 I'd feek the honor of Thy name, And leave my own to die : Help me to fink with humble fhame, And raife Thy praifes high. SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 1%J CXX1II. UNDER DARKNESS. JESUS, I now addrefs Thy throne, And feek my help in Thee alone, As wretched finners do ; Hear and regard my earneft cries, Send, gracious God, fome frefti fupplies And cheer my hopes anew. Thou art a God of boundlefs might, O turn my darknefs into light ! I wait Thy Spirit's cheering rays ; Come, Thou Inftructor, all divine, Enlarge thefe icanty thoughts of mine, And turn my iighs to fongs of praife. Hade, Sacred Dove, dart through the ikies, Hafte, and affift my faith to rife, She's all una&ive here ; O fix her on her Author's bread, On Him fhe can fecurely reft Withou*- the interrupting pains of jealoufy and fear. ; xxxiv. s TTTITHOUT the aid of fovereign gTac«> V V In vain I wiSh, in vain I try To raife my cheerful the lights on high, Or gain a fmile from Jefus' face j 128 SONGS IN THE NIGHT. In Thee, my God, are all my fprings, At Thy command my paflions move : let Thy Spirit's gentle wings Bear me above created things, And fix me where I may enjoy Thy love. 2 Fix me on that delightful ground Where once I fpoke the joys I found, Amidft thofe fruitful bowers ; There, there again I long to ftand, And tafte the fruits of Canaan's land, And pleafe my choice in gathering heavenly flowery. 3 There would my thoughts unwearied rove, And blefs the peaceful, happy grove, Thera would my comforts grow divinely ftrong : There have I feenthe King of Kings, And heard a thoufand glorious things : 1 know how fweet the bleffings are, And grow impatient to be there ; Why Ihould I wear this earthly chain fo long ? — >©»j@t>ex — C X X V . As many as I love 1 rebuke and chasten. -,'rev . iv. lo, i TTE A R this, ye fav'rites of\he Lord, A. .1 Who mourn beneath Rfs ro d, Hear, and rejoice at every w orc j, And truft your loving Q oc j. 2 H And and difmifs y v;> gloomy fears, Each word rebukei ^/flowing tears, And your compl VipillgtongueS4 SONGS IN THE NIGIJT. 12$ 3 Come, ye that doubt Jehovah's love, Becaufe you're fore diitreft, Here is a cordial from above To eafe your troubled breaft. 4 Thus faith the Lord, the Only Wife,— " I will my children prove, " I will rebuke, I will chaftife " As many as I love. 5 " I'll punifli and fubdue their pride, " I will be known their God ;. " Love to their precious fouls Hull guide " My fin-avenging rod; 6 " To them I'll manifed my care* " As faithful fathers do, " I'll teach them .reverence and fear, " And they fhali love Me too. 7 « Thus will I fave their fouls from Hell, " And bring them fafe to Heaven : " There (hall they love and praife Me~well " For each correction given." — 8 Cheer up, my foul, and hope anew, For Heaven rebukes thy moan ; Cheer up, and learn obedience too, And live by faith alone. — >0$fJiO< — cxxvi. COMPLAINING OF SIN, AS BEING EVER PRESENT. i /~\ COULD I find fome peaceful bow'r \J Where fin has neither place nor pow'r 1 13© SONGS IN THE NIGHT, This traitor vile I fain would fnun^. But cannpt from its prefence run. 2 When to the throne of grace I flee, It ftands betwixt my God and me ; Where'ere I rove, where'er 1 reft, I feel its workings in my bread. 3 When I attempt to foar above, To view the heights of Jefus' love, This monfter ieems to mount the Ikies, And veil His glory in my eyes* 4 O ! to be freed from this vile foe, Which keeps my faith and hope fo low ; Lord, take me to my heavenly home, Where not one iipful thought can come. CXXVI 1. LORD'S DAY. [WRITTEN UNDER CONFINEMENT.] 1 "T TT T H Y does this room fo often prove V V A dungeon, Lord, to me ? When will thefe bars of ficknefs move, To fet Thy prifoner free ? 2 Jefus, I long to hear Thy word, I long to feel its pow'r, Be Thou my Healer, deareft Lord, And bring the happy hour. 3 Till then do Thou my foul fuftain, All-patient to endure ; Bleft my confinement and my pain, And all my hopes infute. SONGS IN THE N IGHT. igl I 4 Vifit me here, Thou King of Kings-, With rays of light divine ; Spread o'er my foul Thy healing wings And tell me Thou art mine. 5 Let eacV. returning fabbath prove A nay of reft to me, Till I behold. Thy face above, And Tell fecure with Thee. # CXXVIII. COt&G TO THE HOUSE OF GOD AFTER LONG CONFlUf- MENT THROUGH ILLNESS. 1 \TO W let my foul adore and praife i N The God of Love, the God of Grace* Mercy and truth are all His ways, On Kim I wait in ev'ry cafe. 2 Beneath His rod I raife my cries, And plead His faithfulnefs and care 5 He hears my groans, He bids me rife And tell how kind His dealings are. 3 I tafte His goodnefs every hour ; O for a heart to love His name ! . A heart t J adore His matchlefs power, Which has reviv'd my. dying frame. 4 What mall I render to the Lord, Who thus regards me from above 5 How fhall I belt proclaim abroad His condefcenfion and His lore. i*2 SONGS IN THE NlCHT< 5 Give me, God, a grateful heart, And let me pay my vows to Thee, For Thou haft: fweetly eas N d my fmart, Had fet Thy waiting prifoner free. 15 Now in that ftrength which Thou haft giv'n My willing feet Thy courts fhall tread ; There (hall I hear good news from Heav'h, And on Thy promis'd bleflings feed. — >0'4J*>a«— cxxix. The voice of my beloved, behold he cometk ! — CANT. ii. So "1 MS my Beloved's awful voice ;— H^ c es, — He calls me to rejoice ; 'Tis F rffelf, my foul, and none but Ht \ I know Him by P : s wounded fide, I know Hfl > for His robes are dyed, Dyed in mat precious blood He fhed for me. He comes ! — I'm fill'd with holy fear, I blufh and weep as He draws near ; Although I fee a pardon in His hand I feel my forrows melt and move, Becaufe I've finVd againft fuch love, Againft a Friend fo glorious and fo good. He comes !— I deeper fink in fhame, I love and venerate His name, And wifh to love Him no re • O, for a flaming feraph's zeal ! O, for that warmth which angels feel 1 Like them I'd live, like diem I'd love, like tfccrn I would w »re; SONGS iN THE NIGHT. 1 33 cxxx. i "\T0 W, let me from this world retire j . i\| To Thee, my God, my thoughts afpire, let me feel and tafte Thy love, Arid feek my happinefs above. 2 Nothing will fuit my prefent cafe But fome frefh token of Thy grace ; All earthly things are vain and vile If I cannot enjoy Thy fmile. 3 In vain, to cheer this foul of mine, 1 tafte or drmk the ricneft wine j In vain, for my fupport, I eat The fineft bread, the choiceft meat. 4 Amidft ten thoufand bleflings, I Complain, lament, yea tire, and die £ Nor can I find one refting fpot, For all is vain where God is not, 5 In vain the ftars adorn the fkies, In vain the fun more glorious rife, The whole creation tries in vain My drooping fpiiits to fuftain. 6 Without Thy prefence Earth is Hell i My thoughts mu ft It I II infadnefs dwell Till I can fee Immanuel's' face $ I'm all undone without His grace. i T IK JL i cxxxi. And Enoch walked with God. — gen. v. 24. E Enoch I would feek to be ? Lord, keep me in Thy fear 5 N 134 SONGS IN TliE NIGH?. Like Enoch I would walk with Thee, And find Thee ever near. 2 Like him I'd reverence Thy name, And fix my thoughts above ; Like his, my zeal would burn and flame ; Like his, my foul would love. 3 Like him, I'd keep the road to Heav'ii By faith in Jefus' blood ; Like him, I'd know my fins forgiv'n* And freely talk with God. 4 O for an Enoch's frame of mind, An holy, humble heart ; O for a will, like his, refign'd Beneath my every fmart. 5 Like him I'd hope, like him believe* And tread the Tempter down ; Like him I'd conquer, and receive A rich, immortal crown. 6 Lord, help me to addrefs Thy throne, To pray as Enoch did j And fhower thefe needed bleffings down Upon my guilty head. — xSvfcffsKS* — CXXXII. Remember me, Lord, with the favour that Thou btarest unto Thy people ; visit me with Thy salvation, that 1 may see the good of Thy chosen ; that I may rejoice in the gladnesi of Thy nation.— ? s. cvi. 4, 5. 4 'iTjEMEMBERme, Thou Great I AM* JV Thou Holy, Juft, and Wife 5 SONGS IN THE NIGHT. I35 Remember me, Thou bleeding Lanb, And hearken to my cries. i Thou art my Refuge and my Tower, O let me fee Thy face ! Shew me Thy glory and Thy power, And feed me with Thy grace. 3 Thou dofl to Thine own people (how The wonders of Thy love ; Such favours, Lord,, on me bellow, And fix my thoughts above. 4 Jefus, on Thee alone I'd reft, As Thine own people do : O let me lean upon T]iy breaft, And hold Thee, in my view ! 5 Yes, for my eyes would ever gaze On Beauty fo divine ; My heart with love would burn and blaze. And be forever Thine. 6 Now let Thy fmiling face appear And make my comfort ftrong ; So fhall I love, and hope, and fear, And praife Thee in my fong. 7 Bring Thy falvation to my fight, And let my heart rejoice With thofe in whom my foul delight, The people of Thy choice. 8 How dear are all Thy faints to me, O let their joys abound ! Blefs them, my God, and let me be In that bleft number found. %%6 SONGS INT THE NIGHT. CXXX1II.* i T S this Thy will,— and mud I be X A living witnefs, Lord, for Thee ? Muft I Thy wond'rous love lecord ? And fpread Thy praifes far abroad ? 2 Muft I to all Thy faints unfold The things which Thou to me haft told ? And fhall the eyes of finners fee What thou haft done for worthlefs me. 3 Wilt Thou no longer me excufe, And wilt Thou frown if I refufe ? O let me have Thy prefence ft ill, And I'll fubmit to all Thy will I 4 Make Thou my path of duty plain, And let Thine arm my foul fa ftain ; Give me new ftrength, new courage here, And fill my foul with holy fear. 5 To Thee I dedicate the whole, Thine is my heart, and Thine my foul ; Blefs what my feeble hand hath wrought, And take the praife of every thought. 6 Wilt Thou, dear Lord, Thine handmaid own ? Her offering with acceptance crown ? Thy glory is her humble aim : — Eternal glory to Thy name ! * Composed after being acquainted that her verses were designed to be printed. MEDITATIONS, IN BLANK VERSE, i. ON THE INCARNATION OF OUR LOR&. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heav- enly host, praising God, and saying. Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will towards men. — ■*• luke ii. 13, 14. HO W did the heavenly multitude rejoice, When Jefus,clad with zeal, and wing'd with love y Defcended from the bright abodes of blifs To fave a world of fmners quite undone ! How did they fhout and triumph, and afcribe Glory to God, in high-exalted (trains ; While peace on Earth they eagerly proclaim^ And fung the pure good-will of God to men ! Why then, my foul, art thou fo filent found ? Why fo averfe to fing ImmanuePs love ? Come, join their fong, and fhew thy gratitude For grace fo rich, fo boundlefs, and fo free ! Rife, and to Bethlehem flee without delay, Go, feek the new-born Saviour with delight, And join in humble worfhip at His feet. N2 138 MEDITATIONS, Enter the (table, and behold Him there j Where oxen feed the lovely Infant lies, Becaufe the inn would not afford Him room. But why, O man ! why didft thou not receive The heavenly Stranger, and with honors crown His fov'reign and fupreme, though infant, head ? No room for Jefus ! — O amazing thought ! — No entertainment for the King of Kings But what the brute creation <:ould afford ! — How did the brutes reprove their matters here, In making way for Chrifl ! — The Prince of Peace !- Methinks I fee them neftle to and fro, And leave for Him the mod commodious place : They made Him welcome to a bed of hay, While manrefus'd Him where to lay His head.— * Let human nature blufh, and fink with fhame 1 O mofl ungrateful man ! — thou dofl appear Worfe than the beads which perifh from the Earth? O ftrange reception for the Lord of Life ! Was Jefus treated with fuch high difdain, And did He not refent the vile affront ? Not fo : — in Him was no refentment found ; All paffive, He refifted not His foes, Although He could deftroy them with a word, Till death, their cruel infolence He bore, And even then, — " Forgive them" — was His prayer* Learn then, my foul, with meeknefs to receive Thy (hare of fcorn and fhame, for Jefub' fake 5 And meditate, how wonderful that love Which cloth' d thy Maker in mortality, And made Him fabjecl to its numerous woes ! O vaft, ftupendous, boundlefs love, indeed 1 MEDITATIONS. X$g 1?oo vaft for finite minds to comprehend ! — Glory to God ! — let every mortal fing, And hail the happy day which gave Him birth. — Moft ha'ppy day for Adam's guilty race, Whom from the deepeft Hell of endlefs woe There's none can ranfom but th* Incarnate God ! — »©^<» — II. THE YEAR CLOSED, DEC. 31, I778. WHY am I not confign'd to endlefs woe ? Why am I fpar'd to clofe another year ? Surpris'd, I aflc, why thi* forbearance. Lord, To fuch an ufelefs cumb'rer of the ground ? O let Thy condefcending goodnefs lead My foul with deep repentance to Thy throne .' How art Thou following me with mercy flill^ Still exercifing Thy long-fuffering grace, And waiting to be gracious to a worm ! By Thee, from year to year, T ftand preferv'd. With ample bleffings on my guilty head, Though all unworthy of the air I breathe j Although the cry of my provoking fins Have fo repeatedly difpleas'd Thine ear . What rich provifion has fuftain'd my foul ! How many favours from indulgent Heaven J What peace, what confolation have I found ! How am I loft in admiration here ! How infinite the patience of my God ! How rich, how free, how boundlefs is His love 1 Forgive, O Lord, my vile ingratitude j Forgive, forgive the fins of all my days, I4O MEDITATIONS. Nor let my youthful follies ever prove A wall to feparate my foul from Thee.— ] With humble praife to Thee I clofe this year* With ardent prayer for wifdom from above, And grace to guide my entrance on the new, — o^o* — III. 1NTER1NG ON THE NEW YEAR, JAN. I. 1^79, I THANK Thee, O my Father and my God, For every fingle mercy I receive. Yes : for to Thee, and Thee alone, I owe My jirefervation and exigence here. — On man all bleffings wait at Thy command ; I'm fed by Thee, and cloth'd* from day to day $ On Thee I am dependent every hour For the fupply of each returning want ; And O how kind, how lib'ral is Thy hand ! How great is Thy compaflion and Thy care ! By Thee my every want has been fupplied, By Thee my every woe has been redrefs'd. My Ebenezer here again I raife, .And here record the goodnefs of the Lord, Who hitherto hath help'd me and fu*iain'd. To Him I waft a fong of grateful praife, • With Him my covenant again renew, In whofe delightful fervice I rejoice, And bind myfelf to Him for evermore.-— 'Twas God that gave me entrance on this year, To Him I give myfelf without referve, And folemnly avouch Him for my own : The time which He allows me here on Earth MEDITATIONS. 1 £l I fet apart for Him, and Him alone ; All that I have, and am, I here refign And consecrate to Him for holy ufe. Witnefs, ye angels ! while my foul engage To love and fear that God whom you adore s Before the face of Heaven I now refolve Upon a life of faith and holinefs ;-^ Let Heaven reprove »e if I ever ftray, Or once attempt to break thefe facred vows I ^ Jefus, to Thee I ftrongly ftand engag'd,. And 'tis on Thee alone my faith depends For the performance of each folemn vow : O keep me as the apple of Thine eye ; Let no temptation overcome my foul ; Hide me beneath the fhadow of Thy wings And Earth and Hell flialtfeek my hurt in vain- — » Prepare me for the trials of this year ; Direct and counfel me in all my ways ; Blefs what my feeble hands may undertake, And crown my weak endeavours with fuccefs* — *e**f§H2>< — IV. THOUGHTS ON DEATH. O SOLEMN thought !— Weak man is born to die. Jehovah has the awful fentence pafs'd, Nor can that awful fentence be revers'd t — No : — Man kas finn'd, — and man fhall furely die : Death like a tyrant reigns, and conquers all ;. By him there's no refpeel: of perfons fhewn : The rich, the poor, the evil and the good, The old and young, muft yield alike to him j 142 MEDITATIONS. To him the wife, therev'rend head mud bow; Princes and kings are fubjecl to his pow'r, Nor can their glittering crowns infure their breathi But O let every human being know He has a foul which never can expire ; — Immortal ! — This hereafter mud exift In endlefs happinefs, or endlefs woe. Alarming thought ! — O let me oft revolve That Imuft ihortly pafs the dreary vale Of death, — and, at Thine awful bar arraign'd, Account for every paft tranfaclion here ! — There will my final doom be fix'd and feal'd ;— . And O what joy, — what tranfport, — or what paia Will feize my foul, according to the teft !— • If to the regions of deipair confign'd, O how furpriz'd in horror fhould I ftand ! How would the pangs of difappointment rend My frighted ghoft, if poffible, in twain ! — What ! — to be banihVd from the God I love, Whofe favour and whofe prefence I efteem Above the breath which feeds this vital frame ?— • How fhould I take the laft farewell of Hira In whofe communion I fo richly (hare ; In whom I glory as my Only Joy ! — O let thefe gloomy, dreadful thoughts be gone ! They wound my heart, they fwell my forrows high, And, if indulg'd, would frantic turn my brain. Why fhould defpair invade ? — Are not my hopes, My folid hopes of never-ending joy Built on The Rock of Ages, firm and fure ? And in tfcofe facred hopes I will rejoice 5 MEDITATIONS. l^g Still hoping againft Hope, till Hope fhall fay To Full-enjoyment, — " 1 give place to thee/' That Jefus, on whole faithfulnefs I reft, Will ne'er confound, nor put my hope to fbame ; For 'tis the fruit of His unchanging love. Ne'er had I thought to build my hopes on Him, Ne'er had I known or lov'd His worthy name, Had not His thoughts of love firft fix'd on me :— I therefore know, — I fear, — I hope, — I love, Becaufe attracted firft by Love Divine. — What then (hall rob me of my joy in Him ? Not pain, nor death, nor all the powers of Hell. G Death ! where is thy fting ?— And where thy vk - ry, Grave ? V. The Time is short.— i cor. vii. 29. THE Time is fhort : — How awful is the found 1— Gome, Thou Eternal Spirit, from above, And help me to improve it to Thy praife ! O folemn thought ! — Time foon will be no fnore 5 Short, very fhort on Earth muft be my ftay. Eternity approaches.-— Let me afk, Art thou, my foul, preparing for thy change $ The time is fhort, — but thou canft never die, Thou art immortal, and thou muft furvive Sun, moon, and flats, and all created things. The time is fhort, — and thou muft foon' away* And at the bar of God's tribunal ftand-;— And what,— O think,— what then will be thy doom ? Wilt thou, complete) ftand there before thy Judge, *44 MEDITATIONS, Cloth'd in a Saviour's fpotlefs righteoufnefs, Renew'd and juftified by fov'reign grace ? Will He who fees thy fecret fprings of thought, Who weighs defigns unform'd, and tries the reins Will He of thy integrity approve ? O will He with a fmile pronounce thee blefs'dj And bid thee welcome to eternal joy ? — .Or wilt thou there a hypocrite be found,— Unfanc"tified, — a ftranger to His love Who died for finriers on th* accurfed tree ? Tremendous then, indeed, will be thy cafes O how wilt thou, a guilty, frighted ghoft, Stand there before a fin-avenging God, Till with a curfe he thruft thee down to Hell ! The time is ftiort : — O fhnn deceit and guile I Work out thine own falvation, now, with fear. Nothing but pure fmcerity will ftand With Him whofe name is Holy, Juft, and True.-*- The time is ffioffc — O may this folemn truth Alarm and quicken all my drowfy powers ! Lord, write it on the table of my heart, And let th' impreffion wear a lafting date.— The time is fhort. — Be ferious, O my foul ! Eternity now calls for every thought. No more let trifling, fublunary things Steal thy attention from its vaft concerns; The time is fhort.— Bid careleiTnefs adieu, Let levity forever (land condemn'd, Since thou of that a ftricl account muft give.— The time is fnort.—Improve the fleeting hours/ Do what thou cand for God, and never tire, But praife His holy name for each employ. MEDITATIONS. 1^^ The time is fliort.— How pleafing is the found To one who longs for perfect holinefs ; To one thatfets communion with his God Above the higheft pleafures mortals know ! The time is fhort. — O let my foul rejoice ! I foon fhall bid farewell to every fin, From all temptations find a fweet releafel My feeble pulfe proclaims the time is fhort* And every pain reiterates the found : Yes, while convulfions (hake my dying frame, It well confirms me in the joyful truth. The time is fhort.— Let all be on their guard. Lord, keep me ever in a watchful frame, That I may welcome death when Thou ftialt callj And fing and triumph in its near approach. VI. A SHORT DIALOGUE BETWEEN MYSEL? AND Mt SOUL, SOl/L. that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears » ^ that I might weep day and night ! — j e r. ix. I. SELF. BU T why my foul, fo much difpos'd to grieve ! Why wouldft thou fpend thy days and nights H , . tears ? Why is thy harp upon the willows hung, And why is ev'ry ftring to forrow tun'd ? What, is there nothing worthy of thy joys ? Will not the cheering fun invite a fmile ? .Will not the common mercies of the day o 246 MEDITATIONS. Excite an evening fong of gratitude ? Are not the wonders of redeeming love Worthy tfey grateful and adoring thoughts '? Or haft thou loft thy once-delightful fhare In bleflings fo reviving, fo divine ? How canft thou lift thy ftreaming eyes to Heav% And bid at once farewell to all its joys ? Stop, O my foul, I tremble at the thought, My life expires :— I charge thee to forbear. SOUL. Ah, fooilfn mortal ! loth to underftand, And ftiil more loth to mare in facred grief J Come, learn my meaning, and thou malt confer 'Tis right that I Ihould mourn till life expires. I own Jehovah's kind and bounteous hand In every mercy that thou doft. receive ; And 'tis thy vile, tliy bafe ingratitude That links my drooping fpirits to the ground. The words of thankfulnefs thy lips pronounce, But O how feltiom is thy heart engag'd 1\\ folemn acts of gratitude and praife ! How wand'ring, O how vain are all thy thoughts ! How fenfual, O how earthly is thy mind ! How far from God, thy Chief, thy Only Good ! How much deceit, hypocrify, and guile Have I difcover'd in thy words and ways ! O blufh, and be afham'd, and join to mourn A heart fo carnal, fo unfanctified ! Where is thy faith, thy fear or love of God, Thy refignation to His holy will ? Where is thy zeal for Him- who died for thee I Where thy obedience to His juft commands ? MEDITATIONS, *47 SELF. Defift, my foul ! I feel ccnvicVion ftrong r At length I yield:— I can hold out no more.— G that my head were waters, and mine eyes -A flowing fount of penitential tears, That I might mourn for fin with conftant grief ! SOUL. AffeCted for a moment ! but how foon Will this thy grief to negligence be turn'd I Thine inftability I've caule to mourn: Juft like a feather, driven to and fro With every breath of air, thou wavered ; How foon pufPd up and borne away by pride ; What liift, what envy, O what vain defires, What vile affections from thy heart proceed ! self; Wretch that I am ! — Where fhall I hide my head Overcome with guilt, O whither fhall I flee ?--- SOUL. To Jefus, as thy Saviour and thy Lord— His pow'rful blood can conquer every fin, And purify a heart unclean as thine. — >04|$4>0< — ■ VII . Woeisme^for I am undone /— rsA. vi. j. WHY, fin, haft thou deprav'd my nature thus ?.' Why haft thou left me helplefs and undone \ Infernal forc v refs !~Thy bewitching lure Its wretched captives into ruin draws, And oft, too oft, eternally deftroys. *£hou art my worft, my mod inveterate foe ; I48 MEDITATIONS, With thee I now proclaim eternal war, Nor mail Thy gilded bait of worldly blifs Prevail on me to treat thee as a friend.— Betray'd by thee my foul hath undergone The lofs of more than language can exprefs ; Through thee primeval rectitude is fled, My zeal unnerv'd, my faculties deprav'd : Through thee,— O fad and lamentable thought I I've loll my title to eternal life ; I've loft the favour of my Sovereign Judge, Sweet intercourse with Him no more to hold. I've loft my glitt'ring crown of innocence,— My inward, folid peace,— my holy joy, My eafe,— my health,— my Heaven,— and my all.— I'm loft to all that's facred and divine : Loft to myfelf ;— and to my Maker loft ;— Loft in myfelf, without one gleam of hope. O wretched ftate !— What ! loft for evermore ? Is there no kind Deliverer to be found ? Are fouls in tin's inexplicable maze So loft that hope of restoration fails ? Well then may I this lamentation take, — '< Woe, woe is me, for I am quite undone V Well may I, trembling and aftonihVd, afk, How fhall my foul efcape the wrath to come ?— But, hark ! what friendly voice is that I hear ? Attend, my foul !— from Heaven methinks it founds, And words like thefe confolatory fpeaks : — " Take comfort, finner ! for thy help is found ; " 'Tis found in Him whofe mercy knows no bounds, " Difmifs each tim'rous, each defponding thought, " The loft are thofe whom Jefus came to fave. MEDITATIONS. 149 " He is the only New and Living way " Whereby thou canft deliverance expect " From all thy pungent mifery and woe ; 61 Come, as the chief of finners, to His throne,— " Loft and undone, and wretch as thou art, — " Come, plead His merits, and He will reftore " That peace and joy which pafTeth human thought : «< He'll re-inftamp His image on thy foul ; «' With wifdom furnifh thee to will and do " Whate'er His evangelic word requires. " He'll bring thee to His feet, and thou fhalt find- " Freedom and favour, and protection there. " In Him fhall be thy righteoufnefs and ftrength, * And thou fhalt wear the jewels of His grace : " Thy foul fhall profpcr and be found in health,, * For He fhall be thy Peace, thy Joy, thy Life ; " Thy happinefs in Him {hall be complete." — O blened news !-ray hopes fhall anchor here, Jefus, to Thee k , as perifhing, I come ; On Thee I venture my eternal all ; My faith fhall in Thy promifes confide Till glory far exceeds my vaft defires* — >e>4!$*3x — VIII, LORD, where are Thy former loving-kindnesses t ps. lxxxix. 49. WHILE I am call'd to reafon, Lord, with Thee, I fain would at the humbleft finance bow j Remembering what I was, and whence I fprung, And what I ftill remain, and what Thou art, O 2 1$0 MEDITATIONS. Who art the Sov'reign, free and uncontroul'd, Acting in all things as it well becomes A God of fpotlefs holinefs and truth. Once to demand of Thee a ftricT: account Is more than feraphs or archangels dare ; Yea, fuch a thought would make thofe fpirits blufh ; O let me then forbear !— I am but dull, A fmner, yea, of finners I am chief; Lefs than a worm, and viler than the earth.— What fhall I fay to Thee, Thou Judge fupreme ! Of whofe bright excellence T can't conceive ; Whofe being and whofe grandeur's far above Conceptions finite when moft highly rais'd. were it not for Jefus, as my plea, 1 dare not ope my mouth before Thy throne, I dare not lift my guilty eyes to Heaven. Through faith in His atoning blood I dare, In His great name I dare prefume to afk, Lord, where is now Thy loving-kindnefs fled ? Where are thofe favours that I once enjoy'd ? Where thofe refrefhing cordials of Thy love ? I call to mind thofe part, delightful hours When I, beneath Thy fmile, could call Thee mine $ Wken I could reft and triumph in Thy love, And laugh at Satan and his conquer'd rage. But now, from day to day I'm left to mourn Beneath Thy frown, by unbelief enflav'd, Shut up in darknefs, where my gloomy thoughts Are hov'ring on the borders of defpair. © why didft thou fo haftily depart ?* Didft Thou not know that all my happinefs MEDITATIONS. 1^1 Was centred in Thy favour and Thy fmile ? Why from my foul doft thou fo long withdraw ? Why leave me thus oppreft with outward woes, Depriv'd of ftrength by Thine afflicting hand, By pain almoft depriv'd of common fenfe ?— - O let me plead Thy paft, indulgent care ! Thou haft fuftain'd my foul in all my woes, My ftrength in all my weaknefs Thou haft been,- My eafe in pain, my fulnefs in my wants ;. And muft my foui no more thefe favours fhare I Muft I no more on Earth enjoy Thy fmile ? Then let me die, that I may fee Thy face ; I'd welcome death in all its frightful forms Could I but gain one look of love from Thee.— *■ Not life, nor health, nor friends can fatisfy This foul of mine, which thirfts alone for God. — When, Thou dear Jefus, ftiall I find Thee near I I'm all impatience for the happy day. IX. / will lift up mine eyes unto the kills , from whence comet A my help. — ps. ex xi. UP to th' eternal hills I lift my eyes, Thofeholy hills whence every blefflng fprings, Where Jefus, my triumphant Conq'ror, lives ; Thofe facred hills where God, the Judge of all, In majefty and glory, reigns fupreme, Exalted far above my higheft thoughts ; Thofe glorious hills where all perfection dwells, Where faints and angels fweetly harmonize, I52 MEDITATIONS. And fmg in flrains ineffably fublime The matchlefs wonders of redeeming grace.— O let my faith afcend on Pifgah's top And pleafe my eager foul with brighter views !«— O blefTed hills of never-fading joy ! O happy manfions of eternal reft ! Thrice happy they whofe pious fouls are fled, And landed fafely on thofe flow'ry banks ! With them my fainting fpirit would retire : There Jefus, as my Advocate, appears, In Him, in Him alone, my help is found ; He bought my ranfom with His precious blood ; He bore my fins on the accurfed tree ; Let everlafting honors crown His head ! Jefus, to Thee I lift my longing eyes, On Thee alone my expectations wait, And Thou canft far furpafs my foul's defires : Thou art acquainted with my numerous woes, Thou know'ft my wants, my forrows, and my fear«j O fend me confolation's friendly balm ! Help me to caft my every care on Thee ; Thine own almighty arm can well fuftain This weak, unworthy, guilty, wretched foul. O let Thy wifdom iilence each complaint, And turn my fighs to fongs of thankfulnefs. Adoring thoughts of Thee I would maintain, And in affliction's furnace give Thee praife. Help me upon Thy faithfulnefs to reft, To feed upon Thy promifes divine, That I may grow in knowledge and in grace, O help my faith to look within the veil ! MEDITATIONS. I53 That I may (till endure as feeing Thee, Whofe prefence is far dearer to my foul Than life with all its tranfitory joys. help me, Lord ! I'm impotence itfelf, Expos'd to Satan's cruel rage I ftand, 1 fojourn in a vain, infnaring world, Where dangers numberlefs in ambufh lie ; guard and keep my foul from ev'ry fnare ! Help me to fhun the dang'rous paths of fin ; Nor let me once difgrace thofe blelled truths 1 now profefs to honor and believe ! Keep me, my dear Redeemer, by Thy pow'r On things eternal my affections place ; Let not my tribulations caft me down, But make me more than conq'ror over all. Thou Helper of the Helplefs, hear 4 ' my cries, And lead me to thofe everlafting hills, That I, with all Thy faints, may comprehend More of that love no mortal can defcribe, That love of Thine I feel within my bieaft. ►O^xS* — Thou art my Hiding-place, Thou shall preserve me from trouble, Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. — PS. xxxii. 7. -TXT HO would not fear Thee, O Thou King of Who would not love and glorify Thy name ? Who would not place their confidence in Thee, Thou juft, Thou faithful,, cov'nant-keeping God ! 1 5 1 MEDITATIONS, O could th' unthinking world hut once conceive* Or tafte the pleafures of a holy life, How would they ca(r their trifling toys away, And drive to make this happinefs their own! But they are ftrangers to the Cod I ferve, And cannot intermeddle with my joys ; From fuch I muft withdraw and hide myfelf, I cannot treat them as my bofom friends. But flop, my foul ! for I mitft drop a tear Before I leave them to their wretched choice : Is there compaffion in this heart of mine ? Then why, O why mould I re ft rain it here, And rob its proper objects of their due ?— Now let my- thoughts to God again return. Lord, draw me nearer to Thy blefTed Self,— Thou art my hope, my Fortrefs, and my Tower ; My Rock, my Refuge, and my Hiding-place : Thou (halt defend, Thou malt preferve my foul From all the' eurfes of a blinded mind, — From all the abounding errors of this age, — From all the confeious pains that DeiPcs know ; Thou malt preferve me from th' Arminian's fhame,- From all the horrors Antinomians feel. Thou malt preferve me, O my gracious God I From Satan's threatening, fafcinating fnares, And from the dangers of my tender years ; — Thou fhalt preferve me from deceit and guile, From all the woes on hypocrites denoune'd, From all the evils of this wretched world : And when my follies move Thee to chaftife, T^hou (halt preferve my foul beneath Thy rod : MEDITATIONS. 1 55 Yea, fhou (halt teach me to adore Thy hand, To fing e'en then of mercy and of love. In ev'ry trial and in every ftrait Thou fhalt fuftain, relieve, and comfort me ; And when the awful hour of death arrives Thou fhalt prefer ve me from its dreadful fting, Shalt fafe conduct me to thofe happy realms Where I fhall reft fccure from each annoy, And fing and triumph in redeeming grace : There fhalt Thou fweetly compafs me about With fongs of wifdom and fupreme delight : There fhall my ravifh'd eyes with wonder gaze Oh Him whofe dying groans procur'd my joys* lazy Time ! — why doft thou move fo flow? Make hafte, and fet my poor, impatient foul Upon her dative, much-defired land. XX. With Thee is theJoufUain of life .— ps. xxxvi. 9. 'T7TTITH Thee, Thou great I AM, Thou Juft V V and Wife, Is the rich fountain of eternal life ; Indulge my foul, O Lord, with near accefs, And let me drink of that eternal fpring* — Was it prepaid for fmners quite undone ? Benold the Chief of Sinners is my name ! An humbling fenfe of my unworjhinefs Is all the fitnefs that my foul can bring : Jefus, to Thee I fend my earneit cries ; 1 plead Thy free, Thy rich, unbounded grace* i^6 Meditations. £)idft Thou Hot leave thofe fhining realms above* And ftretch Thine arms upon th' accurfed tree, To ope this fountain for my dying foul ? O help me to adore Thy facred name ! Teach me the value of Thy precious blood ! How rich, how pow'rful muft its virtue be, To fatisfy the juftice of a GOD, To quench the curfes of His fiery law, And work the finner's robe of righteoufnefs ! ? Twas pure, 'twas holy confecrated blood 1 Nor could the fmalleft taint of fin be found In that all-meritorious, wond'rous flood. No : — 'twas the blood of Him who fpread the (kiesj Of Him whofe word this wide creation form'di Of Him before whofe prefence Gabriel veils, Of Him whom all the heavenly hofls adore, Of whom I meditate In wonder loft, Then blufh, then weep, and try, though all in vairi, T' exprefs the pleafure and the pain I feel. My foul with holy gratitude is fill'd, While fympathy and grief my breaft infpire. O what indignant hatred does arife Againft the curfed murd'rers of my Lord ! 'Twere you, my sins, that nail'd Him to the tree ; 'Twas you, my pride ; 'twas you my discontent j 'Twas you, my unbelief ; my vain desires, 'Twere you ; and on you I will feek revenge * Favour With me you feek in vain to find, You (land condemn x d and muft be crucified. That blood which you fo unrelenting Hied Shall fpoil your pow'r, and drive yott from my heart. MEDITATIONS. i%f That jefus whom your malice crucified Shall quite extinguifh your malignant breath : Yes, I fhall live to fee the joyful day, And, victory ! victory ! fmg for evermore. AH glory to my high exalted Head, "Who with majeftic fway triumphant reigns, Who, as a new-flain lamb, before the throne Stands interceding for a guilty worm ! While in the fountain of His blood I bathe My hope revives, my faith grows fcrong and bold, I feel new life, I fing while devils roar, And drink in confolations all divine. How few my pains ! how light are all my woes ! Let me no more indulge a murm'ring thought. Stay, Jefus, with my foul for ever (lay, Nor let my wayward will once force Thee to depart! XII. * 1 have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to St content.- — phil. iv, if. WHAT manly courage, what undaunted zeal Infpir'd the great, the chief Apoftle's breaft ! He could for Jefus' fake fuflain the crofs Of perfecution, poverty, and pain : The leiTon of contentment he had found, And, as an humble fcholar, karnt it well. O happy man ! in every ftate content ; In all things well inftructed from above I 'Twas grace, amazing grace, taught him to know Both how to be abas'd and to abound. P 158 meditation! When pinch'd with hunger, and expos'd to fhame< • Grace to his mind calm refignation brought ; He trufted in a God Omnipotent, And each infirmity became his fong. 'Twas grace that kept his foul from ev'ry fnare j From pride in fulnefs, and from fear in want. He piiz'd the favour of his cov'nant God Above his food,- — above the fmiles of men,— Above the honors of a dying world, — Above the countenance of lofty kings, — Above the choiceft gold, — or richeft gems, — . Above the joys of fenfe, — above his life : Sweet peace with God his zealous mind enjoy'd f Nor could the powers of Hell, with all their rage., Deprive his foul of comfort fo divine. Here's an example worthy* of defire, O could 1 but tranfcribe and make it mine 1 But here I (land reprov'd ; — I blufli with mame* And mourn my vile and difcontented he*|t.— . Forgive me, O Thott fin-forgiving God ! That I fo much difhonor Thy great name ; Mingle my woes with all-fufiicient grace, And teach me refignation to Thy will. O Thou in whom my ftrength and courage lies, Open Thine hand and give me what I aik ! — More ardent love to Thee, my Heaven, my All ; To Thee, in whom my happinefs is plac'd ; To Thee, Thou Life of all my hopes and joys ; Thou Spring of thefe affectionate defires ! I'd love Thee more amidft my fharpeft pains,. I'd glorify Thy name in all my wants, MEDITATIONS, I59 And praife Thee with my lafl: expiring breath :— • Could I but rule this foolifh heart of mine, I'd break at once the chain of every fin, I'd tear away this veil of unbelief, And wear dejection on my brow no more, Hafte, hafte that happy, that delightful day, When this vile body fhall return to duft : When I in Heaven {hall fee my faviour's face, And find me perfect in contentment there ! — x£>-#«2x — XT I I . - And the apostles said unto the Lord,— Increase our faith. luke xvii 5. THUS the apoftles pray'd : — and, O my foul ! Do thou repeat the fhort petition o'er : Cry, — Lord, increafe my faith, and ev'ry grace^ That I may better pleafe the God I love !— *. Jefus, Thou Son of God, deny me not ! I afk a rich increafe of things divine, O let me have a double portion here, However fmall my mare in meaner things t The Sure Foundation, Thon, whereon I build My folid hopes of everlafting life ; Thou art the Fountain of all real good, And grace and glory fill Thy lib'ral hand. O make my faith more ftrong, more vig'rous full p That I may vanquifh Satan's hellifh crew ; That I may conquer all my inbred lufts, This world, and all that war againft my foul i Increafe my faith, that I may own Thee juft, 160 MEDITATIONS. And glorify thy name in all my woes. Faith can enliven every other grace, Can make me joyful in my fharpeft pains : Lord, when I read the wonders faith has done I'm all impatience for its large increafe. With growing fervour I repeat the cry,— ■ Why fhould I languifh ? Lord, increafe my faith ! I long t' advance in holinefs and love : — O for that faith which purifies the heart, That faith which fweetly humbles all the mind, And fills the foul with reverential fear ! Hear me, O Lord ! nor let me pray in vain ; Increafe my faith, that I may render praife, And live a life more holy, more divine ! — >e-@ex — XIV. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.— vs. xxiii. i. O BLESSED words, and welcome to my foul ! Jefus is mine !— my cup of joy is full : Yes : the Great Lord of Heaven and Earth is mine ;--. My Lord, my Guide, my Shepherd, and my Friend ; My Righteoufnefs, my Wifdom, and my Strength ! In "Him I have enough :— He is my All :— Rich are the paftures of Flis bleeding love ; All fulnefs dwells in Him ;~ I mall not want. O lead me, Jefus, to the facred field Whare Thou by night and day doft watch Thy flock, And let my wandYing eyes intenfely gaze On all the glories of Thy perfon there 1 let my views of Thee grow brighter ftill, MEDITATIONS. l6l Till I in Heaven fliall fee Thee as Thou art, In all the unveil'd fplendor of a God ! My thoughts would dwell forever on Thy love :- How pleafing, how reviving is the theme ! let my heart no more attempt to ftray ! No more let unbelieving fears prevail ; 1 charge my fwis and for rows all, no more To interrupt the pleafures of my foul. Keep me, my Shepherd, ever near Thy fide j Engrave me on the palm of Thy right-hand, And fet me as a feal upon Thy heart ; Bind with love's ftrongeft bands my heart to Thine, Nor let me dare to wander from Thy fold. Grateful, I truft Thee, Lord ! and can believe Whilft I rely on Thy almighty aid, My fhepherd will not fuf&r me to err ; — My fhepherd knows, and will fupply my wants. -*s>#>ex- XV. I In the multitude of my thoughts within me, Thy comforts delight my soul, — P£. xciv. 19. HOW active, O how num'rous are my thoughts ! How haftily they fly from theme to theme ! Sometimes to Heaven they take their airy flight, Then down to Hell as fwiftly they defcend, Then round this habitable globe they rove, Through feas, and fertile fields, and deferts rude : Sometimes I roll in affluence and pride, Then to the depths of poverty go down, ? 2 62 MEDITATIONS, Where I mud beg my bread, or ftarve and die ; Sometimes I reach a monarch's ftately throne, Then to the meaneft cottage I retire : Through various fcenes am hurried to and fro ; Trom health to ficknefs, and from life to death : — Yet, in the midft of thefe unnumber'd thoughts, Thy comforts, O my God ! delight my foul. Thee, Thou Eternal Spirit, I adore, Who taught me to afpire to things divine ; Through whofe free-agency I can arife And bid adieu to all created things ! Yea, I can tread the world beneath my feet> And, looking down, pronounce it vanity: When wing'd with love to Jefus I can fly, And, towering far above the azure flues, Can unmolefted triumph in His fmile. There Ifurvey the wonders of His crofs, And count the bleffings purchas'd by His blood* With His unerring word I there converfe, And reft fecure upon His faithfulnefs. His wifdom, juftice, holinefs, and love, Uniting in redemption's work I view, Till meditation kindles into praife : Whillr, in the multitude of pleafing thoughts, Thy comforts, O my God ! delight my fouk — «£>%*& — XVI. Qme, LORD JESUS .'—■rev. xxii. 20. COME, JESUS, Thou Defire of Nations ! come, Come to my foul, and tell me Thou art mine !~- MEDITATIONS. l6$ Come quickly, Lord !— For Thee my fpirits faints For Thee I mourn, for Thee I'm all diftrefs'd i O come, and tell me that I have a fhare In all the bleffings purchas'd by Thy blood ! Come, for I want to tell Thee all my woes, And reft me in the arms of Thine embrace.—* Come, now, and conquer all my unbelief, Come and fubdue thefe gloomy doubts and fears gc Come, and enrich my foul with ev'ry grace, And teach me all the wonders of Thy love ; O come, and manifeft Thyfelf to me, And let Thine abfence grieve my foul no more. Come quickly, Lord, and melt my heart for fin 5 give me true repentance ; — 'tis Thy gift : — And with- repentance bring my pardon feal'd. Thou God incarnate, come ! — I long to gaze Upon Thy wounded hands, Thy pierced fide >r And weep o'er thofe memorials of my fin. Come, and enlarge my foul before Thy throne !— 1 want more freedom there, more near accefs To Thee, on whom alone my blifs depends, Come, Lord, and take my foul with all its powers. Allure my heart, and let it all be Thine, So fhall my thoughts be ever fix'd on Thee.. Come, Lord, and give me conqueft o'er the world j Above its joys and forrows let me rife : I would no more lie grov'ling in the duft, But live a life, like angels, quite divine. But, O ! it cannot be while fin remains And mixes in each duty I perform j — > 164 MEDITATIONS, It cannot be in this imperfect ftate, — O Death ! how much art thou to be defir'd, Since thou, and thou alone, canft fet me free- From all the filthy, latent fprings of fin Which work inceiTant in the carnal mind, In that which is unfanclified as yet Till thou thy friendly office malt perform. Come, Jefus, and afiTid me to afpire To fuch degrees of grace and holinefs As fhall prepare me for that great event : come, and cleanfe my foul from every fin, And ever keep me from its dreadful pow'r.— 1 would be holy, as 'tis Thy command, Yea, Lord, I would be holy as Thou art : Do I not love Thee for Thy.holinefs, Becaufe Thou art a juft, a faithful God ? More of Thy purity I fain would know, More of Thine image I would fain receive ; Come, and fuftain my foul in all my woes : Make me in all things to Thy will refign'd, That I may ever tread impatience down, And grieve the Spirit of Thy grace no more. Jefus, with all the ardor of my foul, I now invite and call Thee to my breaft ; O hear my earneft cry, and hafte away ! .Leap o'er the horrid mountains of my fins, Skip o'er the hills of my unworthinefs, Like lightning let Thy prefence all deftroy ; O come, and with Thy glory fill my foul ! $£^£^£^^^^^3^^^ SUPPLEMENT. dhxr^y I call to remembrance my song in the night.— ? s. Ixxvii. 6. 1 O R D, in Thy mercy I rejoice, & J To Thee I'd frame a thankful fong, tune my heart, affifl my voice, And let Thy love infpire my tongue ! 2 Grateful, I bow before Thy throne, And praife Thee for Thy chaft'ning rod ;. Righteous art Thou, and Thou alone, Thou faithful, cov'nant keeping God. 3 Hadft Thou not fcourg'd this finful frame, Hadft Thou not all my fufPrir.gs chofe, No fongs of honor to Thy name Would from my thoughtlefs heart arofe. 4 But while I call my griefs to mind, And read the fongs which Thou haft given, 1 can pronounce Thee good and kind, And raife my grateful thoughts to Heav'n. 66 SONGS 1M THE NIGHT, 5 Yes, Lord, I thank Thee from my heart' For all my poverty and pains, Since Thou by them halt deign'd t' impart' Divine inftruction to. my reigns. 6 Jefus, do Thou for ever be All-over glorious in my fight ; O let me (till confide in Thee, And have a fong for every night ll'. Ye shall have a song as in the night. — -I s A. xxx. 29, i np A K E courage, O my foul ! and reft 1 By faith upon thy Saviour's breaft j He is thy Prophet, Prieft, and King, From whom all confolation fpring. 2 In Him the promifes were made For thy fuppoit, thy prefent aid ; In Him, all precious they endure, Ye3, and amen, for ever fure. 3 Lord, I adore Thy wond'rous grace- While I Thy promifes embrace ; I tafte their fweetnefs, feel their powV^ And triumph in the darkeft hour. 4 And doit Thou ft ill engage to cheer My fainting heart with joys fmcere ? Wilt Thou Thy gracious word fulfil, And crown my head with blelTmgs ft ill I 5 Wilt Thou ftill comfort and fuftain,. Still blefs and fan&ify each pain I -SONGS 1*1 THE NiCJIT. 167 Still rule, with government fo mild, Thy fickly, weak, and helplefs child I 6 Wilt Thou indulge me from above With brighter views of Jems' love I Shall I in Him find pure delight, And have afong as in the night ? 7 O for a more enlarged frame, A heart to glorify His name ! To Him unceafing praife belong Who with His blood bought every fong, — >0«5^xQH — I'll. Full of grace and ifa^,-— JOHN i. 14. 1 1 [X O W welcome is this news XX To fouls opprefs'd with fear, Why, fmner, why wilt thou refufe To leave thy burden here ? 2 Is Jefus full of grace '?— Then why doll thou complain i O !— Why refufe to feek His face, His favour to obtain ? 3 And Why fhouidft thou, my foul, Go mourning all thy days?— Lord, let Thy grace my fears controul, And fill my mouth with praife. 4 Revive my fainting heart With Thy forgiving love ; Hafle, Lord, and grace for grace impart; And fix my thoughts above, l68 SONGS IN tHE NIGH*. 5 I Thirft, I pant, I long For brighter views of Thee ; O let me join the heavenly throngs And all Thy glory fee. 6 There I in lofty ftiains Shall ling and never tire ; Forget my weaknefles and pains, And all Thy works admire. IV, We have an advocate with the Father, jcfus Ckrijl the Righteous.—-! john ii. l. i np HANKS to Thy name, Thou God of Love; X. For fuch an Advocate above, Who can defend Thy right'ous laws, And plead my foul's Unright'ous caufe. 2 Yes :— for He bore my guilt and fhame, Obey'd and fuffer'd in my name ; He offered up himfelf to me, And pleads that oft'ring now with Thee. 3 He pleads both law and juftice too, And gives them both their proper due % Yea, truth is honor r d by his grace Before the bold accufer's face. 4 As my all-wife and gracious Friend, He pleads againft that hellifh fiend ; The Judge approves His ev'ry plea, And let's the guilty fmner free, SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 169 £ The finners wonder and adore.: — O let me doubt His love no more !— => My weaknefTes He kindly bears* And pities all my fighs and tears. 5 This is the Advocate and King Whofe power and faithfulnefs t fing ; His pow'r with God can never fail ; Whene'er He pleads He mud prevail; v. He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might He increasetk strength.-— is a. xl. 29. » 1 O R D, I'm a faint, a feeble worm, I a But Thou haft power divine j Then let Thine own almighty arm Suftain this foul of mine* % Pity my weaknefs, gracious God; And this kind word fulfil : — O give me ftrength to bear Thy rod^ To fufFer all Thy will ! 3 I afk for pow'r to hope and fear, For powV to feek Thy face ; Pow'r to fupprefs each finful care^ To truft Thy promis'd grace. 3 Increafe my ft rength, Thou God of Mightj Tn weaknefs make me ftrong ; And in this dark and gloomy night Afford my foul a fong* Q 170 SONGS IN Ttffi NIGHT. 5 Why fhould my thoughts in fadnefs reft# Why murmui and repine ? — Bring refignation to my breaft, With peace, and joy divine. 6 Helplefs I cafl my cares on Thee, Thou wilt regard my cries ; I fhall ere long Thy glory fee, And wipe my weeping eyes. 7 Till then my faith fhall keep her hold On Jefus' righteoufnefs J His grace can make the fearful bold, Yea, joyful in diftrefs. VI. The law is spiritual.~KOM. vii. 14. 1 r-p HE law of God is juft, X A drift and holy way ; And he that would efcape the curfe Muft all the law obey. t Not one vain thought muft; rife* Not one unclean defire ; He muft be holy, juft, and wife, Who keeps the law intire. I If in one point he fails In thought, in word, or deed, The curfes of the law prevails, And refts upon his head* SONGS IN THE NIGHT. *7* 4 Now let me bring my heart, And with the law compare, And afk, — If I in ev'ry part Have paid obed'ence there ? 5 I tremble and retreat ; Behold, O God ! I'm vile : Guilty, I fall before Thy feet, And own my nature's foil. 6 Lord, I have broke Thy law : I now lament my fin : — Still I offend in all I do, I'm carnal and unclean. 7 And does the curfe ftill reft Upon my guilty head ? — No : — Jefus, — let His name be bleft !— Hath borne it in my ftead. € He hath fulfill'd the law, And bought my peace with God ; ^Tis here my foul her comfort draw, And leaves her heavy load. — xQ^xQx — , VI! . Your heavenly Father knowetk that ye have need of all these things. — matt.vi. 32. I T S God my Father and my Friend ? A Then why, my foul, thefe heavy fighs ? O let thy hopes on Him depend, And He will fend thee frefh fupplies. a Arife, arife, and feek His face, Nor mind what carnal reafon faith ; The God of providence and grace Now calls on thee to live by faith. 172 SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 3 He knows the weaknefs of thy frame, He knows thy wants, He fees thy woes ; Then, O let His endearing name Of Father — all thy thoughts compofe ! 4 Truft in His faithful, tender care, Lay all thy gloomy fears afide ; For in His love thou haft a fhare Thy heavenly Father will provide* 5 He feeds the ravens when they cry, ' He clothes the lillies of the field, And will he pafs His children by Whom He hath fanclified and feal'd ? 6 No : he has bowels for the poor Whofe heart and hopes are fix'd above, Who wait as beggars at His door, And reft on His unchanging love. 7 On Him I caft my ev'ry care, He is my Father, rich and grand ; For Earth and all its treafures are At the difpofal of His hand. 8 Yea, He is Ruler of the fkies, And lord of that bright world above Where T, ere long, fhall feaft my eyes, And fing and ihout redeeming love. — >e>4f«>o< — VIII. He that is soon angry dcakth foolishly .~-v KG v t xiv. i%i 6 f^i HRISTI AN,— examine well thy mind j V> Afk, — is my foul to wrath inclin'd I Thus home the matter bring j SONGS IN THE NlCHT. 1 73 Am I fo foollfti, fo unwife, To let my angry paflions rife At ev'ry trifling thing ? 2 I tell thee in Jehovah's fear, Thou doft, if thou art guilty here, Thine own difgrace procure ; Thou doft in this difhonour God, Thou doft prepare thyfelf a rod, And thou fhalt fmart as fure. 3 Then lay thy peevifhnefs afide, Let truth and meeknefs be thy guide Through every ft age of life j Let all thy conduct well agree With what thou doft profefs to be ? And thou flialt reft from, ftrife. IX. OPENING MV NEW BIBLE, Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy Law. — ps. cxix. 18. i TESUS, my Saviour and my Lord, J To thee I lift mine eyes ; Teach and inftrucT: me by Thy word, And make me truly wife. z Make me to know and underftand Thy whole revealed will ; Fain would I learn to comprehend Thy love more clearly ftill, 1*4 SONGS IN THE NIGHT. 3 Help me to read this volume o'er With new and frefh delight ; Help me to love its Author more. To feek Thee day and night. 4 Ope Thou mine eyes, enlarge my heart, And make my faith more ftrong ; So fhall the precepts Thou haft taught Be my delighted fong. 5 O may this word my thoughts engage In each perplexing cafe ; Help me to feed on ev'ry page, And grow in evVy grace. 6 O let it purify my heart, And guide me all my days ! Its wonders, Lord, to me impart, And Thou fhalt have the praife. X. But Martka was cumbered~»8tc.-'*LViLE x. 40. U T why did Martha take this load While Jefus in her houfe abode ? His vifit never was defign'd To vex or interrupt her mind. 'Twas love that brought Him to her door, He fought her heart, and nothing more ; He wanted no delicious fare, Though -His attendants crowded there ; SONGS IN THE NIGHT I75 Bat Martha's heart was much like mine, Prone to miftake her Lord's defign. Her love, no doubt, was quite fincere, But fhe difcover'd weaknefs here : Perhaps 'twas pride poffefs'd her breaft, And urg'd her to fet forth her bed * She thought to have it told abroad How well fhe entertain* d her Lord.— Methinks I fee her, full of care, Fond of attending here and there ; But, to fupprefs her vain defire, Her ftrength and patience equal tire, Ske calls her fifter to affift ; But here her careful aim is mift :~- Mary is plac'd at Jems' feet, Nor will fhe quit her humble feat.— Now Martha's anger mutt, appear ; She thinks her Matter deals fevere, Thus to indulge her fitter^ reft, While (he for help was quite diftreft ;— u My Lord," — faid fhe, — have I a mare, u In Thy compaffion and Thy care ? •' Then chide my fitter's idlenefs, " And bid her help to ferve the gueft." Here Martha's pride receiv'd a blow, Her Matter's anfwer laid her low ; O fure her heart was almoft broke When thus her dear Redeemer fpoke !— " Martha, — thy anxious, troubled mind 41 Is much to worldly cares confin'd ; ** But think of this while here thou roll,--. " One thing is needful to thy foul ; «' Mary in this good part rejoice, ** And I commend her ferious choice \ Ij6 SONGS IN THE NIGKT " While at my feet fhe loves to flay " There's none fhall force her foul away.' O let this anfwer found abroad, — Formality's by God abhorr'd. — Let thofe who in His favour fhare Of worldly mindednefs beware ; Let Mary's happy choice be mine ; Let Jefus' love my heart entwine ; let me at His feet be found Whatever gueft may me furround. 1 fojourn in a world of fnares, Nor mould my mind be free from cares $ Be this my care, in every place, — To glorify the God of grace ; Guard me, O God ! on ev'ry fide, From all anxiety and pride ; Carelefs of praife, I'd feek to be Commended and approv'd by Thee, — >o<$fl<-<3>< — Andbekold Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reap* ers, — the Lord be with you ; — and they answered him,— -the Lord blest thee. — ruth ii. 4. TOEHOLD the man ! — how humble is his mind : JD How pleafant are his looks S— his words how kind !~ Methinks I fee him in the harvefl field Adoring Him who made the Earth to yield ; Methinks I hear him to the reapers fay, — " The Lord be with and strengthen you to day 5 SONGS IN THE NIGHT. IJf ¥ The Lord be with your fpirits as with mine, ** And fweetly lead your thoughts to things divine <* May he who has inrich'd this barren land * " Command a blefling on each lab' ring hand." The reaping fervants kept their humble place. And yet rejoice to fee their mailer's face ; Methinks I hear them eagerly reply, — «' The Lord Jehovah blefs thee from en high ;: " May ev'ry favour thou to us haft given u Be well rewarded by the King of Heaven ; " May'ft thou in thine own foul be richly blefs'd, " And in thy harveft meet with great fuccefs." Thus Boaz, with gentlenefs, his fervants taught. And they a blefling for theft- mafter fought. Attend, ye mafters, for I muft purfue My faithful plan, and turn from Boaz to you % Away with all your tyranny and pride, Let meeknefs all your words and actions guide ; O feek the blefling of an humble mind, And let your fervants prove you good and kind y Like Boaz of old, do you their welfare feek, And in Jehovah's name as kindly fpeak ; With them be neither trifling, vain, nor gay,. Yet be familiar in a prudent way ; Encourage them in all they undertake, So fhall they love to labour for your fake j Direct, inftrucl, exhort them with delight, And let their fouls be precious in your fight 5 * It was the firft harveft after a famine, I78 SONGS IN THE NIGHT?, Let your example ev'ry vice reprove, And you'll command both reverence and love j O let that bright example Jefus gave Teach you your duty to the meanefl flave !-•* If He your Pattern and Initruc*tor be You'll condefcend to men of low degree. xi r. ADDRESSED TO MR. AND MRS. — — , UP0R THEIR MARRIAGE. DI D Jofhua folemnly re cord That he and his would ferve the Lord ? Do you, my friends, refolve anew, That you and yours will ferve Him too ? O let this be your chiefeft care, Your frequent and united prayer ! Sit hand and hand at Jefus' feet That he may blefs your married Rate. As a new fcene of life employs, Let new defires of grace arife, That you may fill each duty's place, And fhine like faints in ev'ry grace ; Let ferioufnefs attend your walk In all your actions and your talk ; Let each fulfil their part of love, And bleflmgs to each other prove ; In all your joys, or griefs, or fears, Strive to allay each other's cares ; Infpir'd with grace and love divine, . Let ev'ry chriftian temper fhine j SONGS IN THB NIGHT, if$ So mall your children love your word When they are taught to fear the Lord % Your kind inspection let them fhare, And watch them with a tender care. Do Thou Thy Spirit, Lord, impart, That Chrift may dwell in houfe and heart $ And let Thy fervants plainly prove That they arefuch as Jefus love. XIII, TO MRS. "~' TH E garment that you gave me I admire^ It fuits me, as I'm fond of neat attire ; And, mould uncertain health admit, I'll wear This garment to the honor of your care. At prefent I mull leave it, and purfue A nobler robe which now prefents my view : When your kind hand to me the favour brought tt led my thoughts to Jefus : — as it ought. Firft, I furvey'd my foul's fad nakednefs, Then view'd a Saviour's fpotlefs rightecufnefs. O boundhfs love !— O grace !— both rich and free^ This robe of righteoufnefs was wrought for me : 'Tis ev'ry way complete } 'tis rich and grand, And weds no alteration at my hand.— O blefTed robe ! — 'cis broad enough to hide My unbelief, and all my former pride. My foul rejoice when I its virtues view, And praife His name who made and gave it to6, tSo SONGS IN THE NIGHT* XIV. RETURNING A BORROWED BOOK, ON " THE HEAVENLY RACE," FROM 1 COR. ix. 24. So run that ye may obtain. MADAM, — I now return your little book, And thank you for the fhort, but pleafing look ; For though 'tis only for a trifle fold, 'Tis more than worth its' weight in Alining gold. It was for flothful fouls at firft defign'd, And vaftly fuited my fad, fluggifh mind. I read, I hope, with ferioufnefs and care, And highly priz'd the truths I met with there. May I be taught to run this heavenly race ; (To run, indeed, I amrefolv'd by grace) ,0 may I run fo as to win the crown, Nor tire till I with angels fet me down !— Nor would I run this heavenly race alone ; Fain would I fee the world afpire the throne s I'd have my friends and foes, and all agree To run this race, and drive to outrun me. Heaven, indeed, is worth our utmoft pains ; O let us drive to reach thofe blifsful plains ! And if we meet the crofs as chriltians do, May we not faint, but run with patience through ; O let us think of looking back no more, But run while Jefus (hews an open door ! Left He in anger fhut the heavenly gate, And tell us, with a frown, — " 'Tis now too late !' 7 — fcONGS IN THE NIGHT. l8l XV.- TO THE REV. MR, T I S with a grateful view I now retire. And act agreeable to your defire Amongft my deareft friends, you* do I find, Share in my thoughts, and dwell upon my mind \ Nor need I plead excufe for this long paufe, Since pain and ficknefs can defend my caufe.— But O how wond'rous great the debt of love I owe to Him who reigns Supreme above I 'Tis He alone who has preferv'd my breath, And once more rais'd me from the gates of death % He has reviv'd my dying frame again, And giv'n me ftrength to hold and guide my pen % O may my few remaining hours, or days, Be all improv'd to His eternal praife ! May I more faithful prove, more lively grow, And daily more of Jefus feek to know ; . ... May I more highly prize his precious blood, And learn to walk more humbly with my God !~»» This let my unknown friend for me intreat, Till I rejoice in holinefs complete ; Till I ihall figh no more, but fweetly reft From all that now difturb my .panting breaft, In Heaven's unmingled joys I hepe to fhare, And meet the tender hearted ■ ■■ - ■ ■ ■ there ; R V8fc S6NGS in the night, Yes, there is your reward, both rich and free, For every act of kindnefs done to me : There He, whofe caufe you plead, whofe name yo# fpread, Will place a crown of glory on your head. Let this, dear fir, your warm defires enlaige To win the fouls committed to your charge ; And may the Mighty God in fafety keep The watchful fhepherd and his tender fheep ; May He your ev'ry public meeting blefs, And crown your faithful labours with fuccefs ; May he in private duties make you know How much of Heaven may be enjoy'd below : Thus may your latter days be bleft indeed, Till glory all your vaft defires exceed,— But while I fejourn here, I hope to be Still honored with your friendfhip, pure and free? I owe you' thanks for granting me a (hare In your companion, fympathy, and care ; I freely redder thefe, as juftly due, Andafk the favour of a line from you. I feel, dear fir, much heavinefs of mind, Becau'fe-I am, through weaknefs, ftill confln'd j fTrive to put my penfive thoughts to fhame, And teach me to maintain £" cheerful frame !— But, oh ! I tire !— Alas, my trembling hand i— My weaknefs puts me to a fudden ftand ; 1 mull at prefent take a reding fpell, And bid you, venerable fir—farewelL— S, Ho SONGS IN THE NIGHT, 183 XVI. TO MV UNKNOWN BENEFACTORS AT Then she fell on her face and bowed her self -to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger. — ruth ii. 10. THUS Ruth receiv'd the kindnefs of her friend, Who met her with a liberal heart and hand, And welcom'd her to glean upon his ground y Where rich provifion ihe in plenty found. Such unexpected favours,— as appears,— RefreuYd her heart, and chas'd away her fears : She ieckon'd Boaz' kindnefs truly great, Thus to regard her in ker low e Mate ; Strong were tk' emotions of her grateful mind, Nor could me keep- thofe grateful thoughts confin'd 5 Meekly me bow'd and afk'd him with furprife, — «* Why have I found fuch favour in thine eyes : «' That thou iriould'ft thus incline to notice me, " Seeing I am a ftranger unto thee ?"— Thus did (he honor him within the view Both of the reapers and his fervants too r And all that read the pleafing ftory muft Confefs that her acknowledgement was jure. Such acts of kindnefs mould excite and raife The poor receiver's gratitude and praife. Then,-~0 my friends !— permit me to confefs That I receiv'd your gifts with thankfulnefs : Like Ruth, I would be grateful, and declare How much I prize your tendernefs and care ; 384 SOKCS IN THE NIGHT. Your favours have refrefb'd me, and I find My thoughts like her's too warm to be confin'd j Thankful, I bow, and wonder at your love, And afk the queftion as you read above ; I'm all unworthy of the imalleft mite, Why have I found fuch favour in your fight ? Why am I bleft with fuch an ample mare ? In your companion, fympathy, and care ? Thefe unexpected favours tend to raife My thoughts above, in gratitude and praife. To Him who made my friends, both great and fmall , \ Who rules, and overrules, the hearts of all. At His rich goodnefs I admiring ftand, And blefs His kind and providential hand : may His free, His condefcending grace Shine brighter to my views in Jems' face ! — 1 want a gale from Heaven, — a gale divine,— To roufe this drowfy, lukewarm foul of mine. I wifh my dear, though unknown, friends may be More earned at the Throne of Grace for me : I'm oft opprefs'd with gloomy doubts and fears, And often deal with fighs, and groans, and tears ; I meet with many forrows in my way ; My outward weaknefs tries me night and day ; I am as yet a pris'ner clofe confin'd, But hope my fweet releafe will foon be fign'd. — Farewell my kind and worthy friends ! — adieu !— Mercy and peace be multiplied to you ! S. H. SONGS IN THE NIGHT, 185 XVII, Lord, Iteseeck Thee, send notv prosperity* PS. cxviii. 25. OWHAT are all the beft d'eiigns To work upon rebellious minds ! *Tis not by might, or pow'r, or word. But by the Spirit of the Lord ; 'Tis only His own power that can Subdue the ftubborn will of man : Then let my faith addrefs His throne, And afk fuccefs of Him alone. — Blefs this attempt, O God of grace 1 To ev'ry foul, in ev'ry place, Do thou profperity ordain, That none may read or hear in vain* This I requeft in Jefus' name ; His glory is my higheft aim : O for His fake let finners be Converted from their fins, to Thee ! Do Thou my warm defires fucceed, And make this call— a call indeed i— ♦ Weak as it is, Thy pow'rful hand Can make it ufeful to the land. * Refeiring to a small piece she wrote in the time of tho late war, entitled, — m a call to Britain j"— — many thousands of which were sold in a short space, Ra i26 SONGS IN THE NIGHT, Pity the Nation's deep diftrefs, And work its peace in righteoufnefs, Now for profperity 1 pray ; Send it, O Lord, without delay ! XVIII. I am as a wonder unto many ; let my mouth be filled with Thy praise and with Thy honor all the day, — ps. lxxi. 7, 8. LORD, help me to come near Thy feat And there again let wonders meet : I am a wonder : but I know *Tis Thou alone that makes me fo.— What fhall I fay ?— Thy hand has wrought Such wondeis as exceed my thought : Wonders ! Nor can I anfwer more ; * I muft fit filent and adore.— My God, how wond'rous is Thy pow r r That kept me in the darkeft hour ; Which help'd me to hold faft my hope, And bore fo long my courage up !— 'Twas wond'rous mercy, rich and free, That I could then confide in Thee : Hadft Thou not kept me by Thy grace I fhould have curs'd Thee to Thy face ; How often, Lord, I cannot tell, Did my ungrateful heart rebel ? But Thou as often didft compofe And calm each murrn'ring thought that rofe> SONGS IN THE HICHT. 1 8 7* How oft did Satan fright my foul ? But Thou didfl all his rage controul, And mad'ft his vile temptations prove The helpers of my faith and love. let my mouth be fill'd with praife, And with Thy honor all my days ; Affift my willing foul to frame New fongs of glory to Thy name ! Jefus, my never-failing-friend, Who doth to all my groans attend, Forever (hall Thy kindnefs be Remember'd and extolPd by me.— Though Thou haft made my flefh tofmart^ And pain'd my head, and griev'dmy heart? 'Twas all in mercy, now I fee, That fuch fad months were writ for me. ril plea^. Thy caufe, my right'ous Godi For T.iou haft taught me by Thy rod $ 1 know Thee better than before, I fear, I love, I truft Thee more. Father, Tm not afham'd to tell The world,— that Thou doft all things well.—* Yes :~I will ftill Thy hand confefs, And glory in Thy faithfulnefs.— To Thee myfelf I now refign : Take me ! — I'll be forever Thine ; And aim to lift Thy glories high, To love and praife Thee till I die.*— *This piece is dated October 1783,111 the M.S. and appears 19 have been the last time of Her using a pen, X&XX Sfc*^** *£*«;* REMARKABLE SCENE IN THE AUTHOR'S LIFE, TH E Writer, hearing She had left her place-* and was very ill at her mother's called upon her, as a neighbour, on Tuefday evening, January 12, 1773, anc * found her weak and low, upon a couch :-— He afked her what the doctor thought of her cafe ? — She replied,-— He feared fhe was decayed. §. But what do you think of your dife\ fe your- A. I have for fome time given up all thoughts of living. 47: If fo, — how are your thoughts refpecling another world ? A. I am in the dark as to that. 4>. Have you any hope that it will go well with you for eternity ? A. If I had I think I could gladly depart • for I have for fome time feen an emptinefs in this pref-. cnt world. iga REMARKABLE- SCENE.' j£. Have not I noticed you as ferious and attend tive at public worfhip ? A. At times it has been^fo : — for I have fre- quently had convictions, but they have been like the morn-cloud ;*-fin ancLvanity have ftifled them again and again. ^. But, as you have attended an evangelical miniftry, I truft you are acquainted -with the way of falvation, and how a poor finner is to be accepted of Gcd. - A. Yes,— blefTed be His name !— -I do know the way :— and if I did but know I was in the way I couid die quietly. — Then me entered into the caufe of her doubts' and fears, which greatly encouraged me ; as fhe fpoke of her heart like one that was deeply acquain- ted with its iinfulnefs and depravity. J^. Why did not you open the ftate of your mind to fomebody who might, under God, have given you counfel ? A. I could not fpeak before to any one : — but as I have now told you fomething of my ftate, hope you will come and fee me as often as you can while. I am here, as I expect it will not be long ; and pray for ms, that I -may be brought to know JefusChrift and His precious falvation, fo as it may go well with, me after death. My foul rejoiced. — And, after fpending fomer fcime in prayer, I left her, believing God would IN THE AUTHOR S LltZ. 1CJ1 -manifefl Himfelf to one that feemed fo truly hum- bled and fenfible.— Bufmefs would not permit my f ifiting her again till the Saturday evening follow- ing, when me was taken to her chamber and bed, eJcpecling, as fhe faid, to go no more down till carri- ed in her coffin. — Enquiring into the prefent ftate of her mind, her anfwer was to this effect :— < Better fomething, through mercy,— I begin to fee fome^ glimmering of hope, that, vile and unwor- thy as I am, I fliall obtain divine favour through Chrift Jefus. — I gather from the world, — He is as willing as he is able to fave, unto the uttermoft, all that come unto God by Him.— I defire to look to Him alone, and would wait to fee His falvation.>— Oh ! that he would pleafe to give me fome token of His favour ; — feme pledge of my being interefted in His blood and righteoufnefs ; that, before I go hence, I may be helped to fay, — " He hath loved me, and given himfelf for me :"— Gh ! how pleafant would death be then.' This reply opened a door for converfation upon the precious things that pertain to eternal life and godlinefs ; and pleafing it was to find fo young a perfon, and one whofe days had been fpent, as it Were, in obfeurity, able to fpeak fo Judicioafly upon the great and fundamental things of God — After prayer I departed, finding my own foul refrefhed ; and the next day, being the fabbath, went again t— =1 «£nd ; at going to the bedfide ; fhe faid,—. lf)2 REMARKABLE SCENE « I am glad to fee you ; now I have good nettg to tell you i -God does verily hear and anfwer pray- er :--I have found what I wanted, and can now die in peate.-^-Oh, what a difcovery has been made to me fmce I law you !— About four o'clock this morn- ing, as I lay fleeplefs, and was lamenting over my guilt and finfulnefs, the Lord, of His infinite mercy, gave me faith to look to " the blood of fprinkling ;" and I was helped to lay hold on Jefus, as my only Saviour ; and now, methinks, I am clothed with His righteoufnefs.— What grace and mercy to fo fin* ful and worthless a creature !— Having faid this, notwithftanding her bodily weaknefs, Die burft out into a flow of fuch fublime afcripcions of praife as cannot be repeated without injuring their beauty : — recovering herfelf,flie faid to a perfon that was near, — « You prayed laft night that I might have a good fabbath to day ; and a fabbath indeed 1 have had ! —fuch an one as I never expected in this world ; but I "believe it is the beginning of a long one, even an eternal fabbath :— fure I cannot live till the return of another ;— my heart and flefh feem to be failing as fafl: as my pulfe beats ; " but God,"-— bJciTed be His name ! — jj is the ftrength of my heart, and my portion for ever." Then (lie laid ftill awjiile ; and, after taking fcmething to moiften her xnouLh, fhe faid, — IN THE AUTHOR'S LIFE. 1Q3 * Lord, now let Thy fervant depart in peace* for mine eyes have feen Thy falvation." I left her for fome time, but came again in the evening , and found her youngeft brother in tears, {he having, I was told, been taking an affecting leave of him ; and feeing her mother weeping alfo, fhe intreated her to defift, faying, — « You wound my heart. — Will you grieve becaufe I am going to be freed from fin, and made happy with God ?'— - then faid, — ■ But I have another brother to take leave off ; afk him to come near/ — He came : and fhe faid unto him in this wife : — ' Dear brother ! you fee me in a dying fituation ; I fhall foon be removed out of your light ; take an exhortation from me now, and remember it : — Do not you, as I have too much done, fpend your time in fin and vanity ; but remember — you mufl die : — think, therefore, about your precious foul, which can never die ; — remember your Creator in the days of your youth — feek an intereft in Jefus Chrift, who alone can fave you from the wrath to come : — make con- fcience of fecret prayer; — The Lord has done great things for me, and He is ready to do as much for you ; — His grace is free ; only feek Him, and you will find He is willing and able to do for you above what you can afk or think. — And do, my dear brother ! promife me thefe things :— that, God helping yon, you will in future avoid bad company : «-I know your occupation expofe yen to tempta- S 194 REMARKABLE SCEX2 tions of this kind, but do you fhun the way of the wicked : eat not of their dainties ; for though they live merrily now, forrow is the confequence of fin : — abftain from lying, curfing, and fwearing :-- keep under your irregular paffions : — remember the fabbath day, to keep it holy ; — obey your mafter and thofe you are under : — honor your mother, and be kind unto her : think of the many troubles fhe has gone through, and do not you add unto them. Having fpent herfelf, fhe flopped to take breath j then faid, looking earneftly on him,—. 1 And will you, brother, take my advice ? — will you remember my words :' — then turning her eyes from him, fhe lifted them 'up to God, and cried,-— c Lord, do thou help him ! do Thou teach him thefe things ! — he will not, he can not, do them of himfelf, any more than I could.' — fhe then fhook him by J and, and faid,^ — * Farewell, farewell, my dear brother ! — I expect to fee you no more in this world.' — He being gone, her dilcourfe turned on our natural finfulnefs and helplelTnefs : — after which, fhe fpoke of Chrift, His power and willing- nefs to fave, in fuch an exalted manner, as afhamed and overwhelmed me.— -Her words were fpoke in a low voice, but a mighty power feemed to attend them. She continued in this frame till Thurfday evening,— the doctor, and all that faw her, thought ' her to be dying during that time,— but late that wight fhe afked for fomething to eat, though fhe had IN TPIE AUTHORS LIFE neither food or fleep of confequence for three weeks before : fhe ate ; and, after eating, fell afleep. —From this time flie began to amend ; and, as her body gathered ftrersgth, fo her abounding confola- tions and ability for {peaking gradually decayed ; but a fweet favour and relifli of thofe happy days continued ; with a proper fenfe how much flie was indebted to free grace for what flie then enjoyed. — ■ In about a month's time fne was able to leave her cnamber :— I then afked her how (he fared with the profpecl of living. ---fhe replied,-—*'! feem to myfe'f as one awakened out of a pleafmg dream, or like one that has met with a great disappointment : — I thought I was juJl entering the port of Heaven ; but now I find I muft go back to the world again I will be content, as it is the will of God,— 0" that' I may be helped to live to His praife ! — I fear, in- deed to be engaged in the things of this world again ; but He that brought me out of darknefs in- to light is able to keep me from evil.— To Him. Would I look, and on Him would I truft. What follow are a few of her many obfervations during thofe five days in which fhe was fo eminently favoured Whfe the prefence and fpirit of God ; for the writer had only now and then an opportunity o£ hearing the gracious words fhe uttered.— -But he would firfl obferve :— Notwithflanding fhe was fo full of divine things, yet flie well knew when to {peak of them, and when to be. filent :— and as a ig6 REMARKABLE SCENE, proof that me was in her right mind, he took notice ihe always fuited her difcourfe to her company ; and if any were prefent that (lie thought would def- pife experimental religion (he would be filent, or fay but little, and that about things, in general, which moft allow to be of importance in their ferious mo- ments :— - but whatever difpoluion any might be of, they could not help being ferious if they came near her in thofe days.— The following, is one inftance : —--An exceeding light and gay young woman com- ing to her bedlide, flie looked willfully at her fome time, then faid,— Wha% are you come to fee me ? —Be perfuaded to lay afide your vanities, becaufe you muft die as well as myfelf, though you may live a little longer than I mall.'— -The manner in which {hz fpoke thefe few words caufed ihe'young woman to burtl into tears and turn away.— -I aiVd her if lie knew that perfon : — me replied, — * I wifh I had not : fne has been a fnare to me.' Alking for a little wine, while it was warming flie faid,— * Wine will not cheer me now as it ufed to do, it has loft its ftrengthening virtue to me : but, --ok/Ted be God !— there is virtue yet in Jefus' blood ; inexhauftible virtue :— virtue I find that gladdens my heart :— this is wine that maketh glad the heart of God and man.' One who was a fellow-fervant in the family fne lived in lair, and which fhe left on account of her bad flate of health, coming to fee her, wept : fie IN THE AUTHORS LIFE. L97 faiel, — 'Weep not, I know you are a fecker of Jefus ; I have been witnefs of your tears and you of mine ; but now my tears are turned into joy, and fo I truft will your's, fooner or later.— -I was of a forrowful fpirit as well as you, and I had caufe for forrow through my follies.--- Indeed, fometimes I appeared cheerful ; but it was put on ; now, glory be to God !— I have true joy, and feel fuch inward peace as paffeth all understanding :— be you, there- fore, encouraged:— for if you have flighted convic- tions, I have done the fame ;— if you have trifled away precious time, fo have I ;— -if you have been flow of heart to believe, I more ;— but through rich grace I have obtained mercy, why may not you?- — You can but be the chiefiof finners; —as fuch I went to God, and found Him merciful and gracious j — a God pardoning iniquity, tranfgreflion, and fin. — To another fhe faid, — * Liv? by faith on the Son of God.— I 1 have not lived fo ;— if I had I fhould not have had fo many fears and doubts as 1 laboured under at the beginning of my illnefs.— It is good liv- ing by faith, but better dying in faith ; and the beft of all when faith lhall be turned into fight, and hope into enjoyment.— O what will that be !— In Heaven we fhall fee fuch things as eye hath not feen, nor ear heard of jr— we fhall fee God in ma. jefty ;— the Lamb of God ;— the angels 01 God ;— the redeemed of the Lord. What is their work ? ~. rAll praife.— Methinks I lhall fing the loudeft ; — S2 1C,8 REMARKABLE SCENE my fong, I'm fure, mull be/—" Grace ! grace 1" At a tiir^e when feveral friends were prefent, me faid, — * I have not fung for fome time/— One faid it might injure her head : — fhe replied, — « No, it will not. Sing Dr. Watt's 13th H. 3d b " How fweet and awful is the place,"&c. — and, after that was fung foftly, the 626. H. 2d b. — " Come, let us join our cheerful fongs," &c. — but none could fingwith her ; her voice founded like fome- thing more than human, and while fhe fung {lie waved her arm as if bowing before the Throne in. Heaven ; — at laft the company left off trying, — * Well,' — fays fhe, — ' if you will not help me I ir.vAl fing by myfelf, I cannot forbear,'-. -then fhe fyroke out, though quite foftly, with words and tune- that neither of us had ever heard before ; and we left her in aftoniihment.— This was evening ; the next morning I was informed fhe continued fmging in that manner great part of the night, though fhe feemed at intervals to be actually dying. At another time (he fpoke of the infinite majefty cf God as if flie had a view of His unveiled glory. 1 mud not attempt to repeat her words ; but, fhe having dwelt upon His nature, perfection, and attributes, went oa, fpeaking of the characters, names, and titles given Him in the fcr iptures, in fuch a manner as was truly furprifing, and which made the heart to glow. Often (he laid for a confiderable time together as if in deep meditation j then would mention IN THE AUTHORS LIFE, ig§ fome fweet text, giving it a concife and pithy para- phrafe. Once, as fhe was fpeaking on juftification, a friend raid, — "Then you do not expect to be faved by good works."— fhe replied,— 'I caft them all afide, and count them as dung, that I may be found in Chrift ; — neverthclefs, I efteem holinefs, defire more of it, and long for the time when I fhall ceafe from fin. — But'— recollecting herfelf— * I do truft in good works, and expect to be faved by them. — I do not mean thofe of my own, but the works of righteouf- nefs wrought by Chrift Jefus ; — His doing and dy- ing,— His obedience and fufferings ; — thefe are the works I truft in and depend upon ; and on thefe any poor, broken-hearted fmnermay quietly venture his eternal all.' At onother time, when a little wine was offered, fhe faid,— ' Chrift when He was dying had vinegar and gall given him, inftead of wine ;— not only vinegar which is four, but gall that is bitter, and both -mingled together ;— He drank the four and bitter that I might have the fweet,'-— -here fhe greatly enlarged on the paffion and death of Chrift ; adding,—' By His death He procured for me, and you, and you, and you,— (pointing to diiferent friends that ftood near her)—* not only pardon and reconciliation, but Heaven alfo, which I hope foon to enter upon, and you will quickly follow.' A neighbor overhearing her fpeak, and not un- 200 REMARKAALE SCENE derflanding what fhe heard, reported that fhe was mad. — On being told of this, fhe cried, — * Lord ! more of this madnefs give to me and her !' — and added,—* it was faid of Him that fpake as never fpake, — He is befide himfelf, yea, He hath a de- vil j— but I hope I do not fay any thing unbecom- ing ;— I know I do not fpeak of myfelf j— for when in health I could fcarce fpeak at all about facred things ; it is God that gives me matter and words. —To Him be all the glory ;— not unto me, not unta vile, unworthy me, but— M To Him that Earth's foundations laid 11 Be everlafting honors paid." Two fearful and timorous friends being once prefent, it was afked her,— If her language might not difcourage them ? — ine anfweied,— * I think the contrary ;— they ought to be encouraged :— they can be but deftitute cf all that is good, and full of evil ; and I was fo :— therefore, as God hath (hewn me favour, I think it is an argument for them to lift up the hands that hang down.'— one faid,— " Few are favoured like you in a dying feafon," fhe replied,—' Some have their fun fet in a cloud : —and if the Lord fhould hide His face from me before I leave this world, O may I be helped to trull in Him !— They that are born again fhall die fafe, if not comfortable ; for precious in the fight of the Lord is the death of His faints ;-— they are not' pure in their own eyes ;— but in His fight, they that appear fa to themfelves are vile in His esteem.' IN THE AUTHORS LIFE, 2CJ1 y Noticing how long it was fmce fhe had been at public worfhip, fhe faid,— * I fhould like to wor- fhip Him in His earthly couits again ; but I had rather behold Him face to face : — I had much rath- er caft my crown before Him in Heaven, and' fee the King in His beauty there ; yet I defire to wait the appointed time till my change fhall come.— This body muft die before I can fee Him ;— then fhall I behold His face in righLeoufnefsy and never, never fin any mere, 5 From this fpecimen may it not fairly be inferred, —That there is fuch a thing as divine influence ; — - that there is a reality in ^religion ;---and that that muft be worthy every one's purfuit which will af- ford fuch tranquility, peace, and joy in the profpect of diffolving natuie ?— Her not dying when fhe, her friends, and the faculty thought fhe would, does not argue againft what has been related :— but the ftrcng confolations with which fhe was favoured exhibit the merciful loving-kindnefs of God, in preparing her thereby to endure with patience thofe fufTerings fhe was fo long exercifed with ; and which, at laft, reduced her to a mere fkeleton :— yet was her mind fo calm, that (lie whifpered the day before fhe left this world,—- ' I cannot talk: but I fhall foon fmg there.'— pointing towards Heaven.--* 202 REMARKABLE Scene, Her remains were interred in Tacket-ftreet bu- rial ground, in Ipswi*h, over which is the follow- ing inscription : — SUSANNA H ARRISO N, DIED 3D OF AUGUST I 7 R 4 , AGED XXXIII. DURING TWELVE YEARS' AFFLICTION SHE DISCOVERED A GRACIOUS SPIRIT, AND WAS THE AUTHOR OF « SONGS IN THE NIG; IT ," BY WHICH SI-IE BEING'DEAD, YET SPEAKETII, f Paufe here one moment, thou that read ?fl this ; ' She Mill would point thee to eternal blifs. — Her foul bciiir.es the friend of sinners fought ; She found Him gracious, and His grace She taught Her flate was humble, but her faith was true, And what She fung, She fungfrom what She knew Her themes, Her fongs were full of love divine. — Reject, — and make, — like Her, — religion thine I THE END. i ,/ 1 / m w %? *9% »">-