S Struck by that light, the human heart,
A barren soil no more,

Sends the sweet smell of grace abroad,
Where serpents lurk'd before*.

4 The soul, a dreary province once
Of Satan's dark domain,

Feels a new empire form'd within,
And owns a heav'nly reign.

5 The glorious orb, whose golden beams
The fruitful year control,
Since first, obedient to thy word,
He started from the goal,

6 Has cheer'd the nations with the joys
His orient rays impart;
But, Jesus, 'tis thy light alone
Can shine upon the heart.

XLV. C. Retirement.

1 FAR from the world, O Lord, I flee,
From strife and tumult far;

From scenes where Satan wages still
His most successful war.

2 The calm retreat, the silent shade,
With pray'r and praise agree,
And seem by thy sweet bounty made
For those who follow thee.

3 There if thy Spirit touch the soul,
And grace her mean abode,

Oh! with what peace, and joy, and love,
She communes with her God!

4 There, like the nightingale, she pours
Her solitary lays;

Nor asks a witness of her song,
Nor thirsts for human praise.

* Isa. xxxv. 7.

5 Author and Guardian of my life,
Sweet source of light divine,

And, (all harmonious names in one,)
My Saviour, thou art mine!

6 What thanks I owe thee, and what love,
A boundless, endless store,
Shall echo through the realms above
When time shall be no more.

XLVI.-Jesus my All.

1 WHY should I fear the darkest hour, Or tremble at the tempest's power? JESUS Vouchsafes to be my tower.

2 Though hot the fight, why quit the field? Why must I either flee or yield,

Since JESUS is my mighty shield?

3 When creature comforts fade and die, Worldlings may weep, but why should I? JESUS still lives, and still is nigh.

4 Though all the flocks and herds were dead, My soul a famine need not dread, For JESUS is my living bread.

5 I know not what may soon betide, Or how my wants shall be supply'd, But JESUS knows, and will provide.

6 Though sin would fill me with distress, The throne of grace I dare address, For JESUS is my righteousness.

7 Though faint my pray'rs, and cold my love, My steadfast hope shall not remove,

While JESUS intercedes above.

8 Against me earth and hell combine, But on my side is pow'r divine; JESUS is all, and he is mine.

XLVII. C. The hidden Life.

1 To tell the Saviour all my wants, How pleasing is the task!

Nor less to praise him when he grants
Beyond what I can ask.

2 My lab'ring spirit vainly seeks
To tell but half the joy;

With how much tenderness he speaks,
And helps me to reply.

3 Nor were it wise, nor should I choose,
Such secrets to declare:

Like precious wines, their taste they lose,
Expos'd to open air.

4 But this with boldness I proclaim,
Nor care if thousands hear,

Sweet is the ointment of his name,
Not life is half so dear.

5 And can you frown, my former friends, Who knew what once I was;

And blame the song that thus commends
The Man who bore the cross!

6 Trust me, I draw the likeness true,
And not as fancy paints :
Such honour may he give to you,
For such have all his saints.

XLVIII.-Joy and Peace in believing.

1 SOMETIMES a light surprises The Christian while he sings;

It is the Lord who rises

With healing in his wings:
When comforts are declining,
He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining,
To cheer it after rain.

2 In holy contemplation,

We sweetly then pursue

The theme of God's salvation,
And find it ever new:

Set free from present sorrow,
We cheerfully can say,

E'en let th' unknown to-morrow
Bring with it what it may.

3 It can bring with it nothing,

But he will bear us through;
Who gives the lilies clothing,
Will clothe his people too:
Beneath the spreading heavens,
No creature but is fed;
And he who feeds the ravens
Will give his children bread.

4 Though vine or fig-tree neither

1

*

Their wonted fruit should bear,
Though all the fields should wither,
Nor flocks nor herds be there;
Yet God the same abiding,

His praise shall tune my voice;
For, while in him confiding,
I cannot but rejoice †.

XLIX. C. True Pleasures.

LORD, my soul with pleasure springs,
When Jesus' name I hear,

And when God the Spirit brings

The word of promise near:

Beauties, too, in holiness,

Still delighted I perceive;

Nor have words that can express
The joys thy precepts give.

*Matt. vi. 34.

+ Hab. iii. 17, 18.

2.

3

Cloth'd in sanctity and grace,
How sweet it is to see

Those who love thee as they pass,

Or when they wait on thee!
Pleasant, too, to sit and tell
What we owe to love divine,
Till our bosoms grateful swell,
And eyes begin to shine.

Those the comforts I possess,
Which God shall still increase :
All his ways are pleasantness,

And all his paths are peace*,
Nothing Jesus did or spoke,
Henceforth let me ever slight;
For I love his easy yoke,
And find his burden light+.

L. C. The Christian.

1 HONOUR and happiness unite

To make the Christian's name a praise; How fair the scene, how clear the light, That fills the remnant of his days!

A kingly character he bears,

No change his priestly office knows;
Unfading is the crown he wears,

His joys can never reach a close.
3 Adorn'd with glory from on high,
Salvation shines upon his face;
His robe is of the ethereal dye,

His steps are dignity and grace.

4 Inferior honours he disdains,

Nor stoops to take applause from earth;
The King of kings himself maintains
The expenses of his heav'nly birth.

* Prov. iii. 17.

+ Matt. xi. 30.