Part 4 (1/2)

4 My spirit holds perpetual war, And wrestles and complains; But views the happy moment near That shall dissolve its chains.

5 Cheerful in death I close my eyes, To part with every l.u.s.t; And charge my flesh whene'er it rise To leave them in the dust.

6 My purer spirit shall not fear To put this body on: Its tempting powers no more are there, Its l.u.s.ts and pa.s.sions gone.

Hymn 1:23. [Supplement.]

A hopeful youth falling short of heaven, Mark 10. 21.

1 Must all the charms of nature then So hopeless to salvation prove?

Can h.e.l.l demand, can heaven condemn The man whom Jesus deigns to love?

2 The man who sought the ways of truth, Paid friends and neighbours all their due, (A modest, sober, lovely youth) And thought he wanted nothing now.

3 But mark the change! thus spake the Lord, ”Come, part with earth for heaven to-day,”

The youth astonish'd at the word, In silent sadness went his way.

4 Poor virtues that he boasted so, This test unable to endure; Let Christ, and grace, and glory go To make his land and money sure.

5 Ah foolish choice of treasures here!

Ah fatal love of tempting gold!

Must this base world be bought so dear?

Are life and heaven so cheaply sold?

6 In vain the charms of nature s.h.i.+ne, If this vile pa.s.sion govern me: Transform my soul, O love divine, And make me part with all for thee.

Hymn 1:24.

The rich sinner dying, Psalm 49. 6 9. Eccl. 8. 8.

Job 3. 14 15.

1 In vain the wealthy mortals toil, And heap their s.h.i.+ning dust in vain, Look down and scorn the humble poor, And boast their lofty hills of gain.

2 Their golden cordials cannot ease Their pained hearts or aching heads, Nor fright nor bribe approaching death From glittering roofs and downy beds.

3 The lingering, the unwilling soul The dismal summons must obey, And bid a long a sad farewell To the pale lump of lifeless clay.

4 Thence they are huddled to the grave, Where kings and slaves have equal thrones; Their bones without distinction lie Amongst the heap of meaner bones.

The rest referred to Psalm 49.

Hymn 1:25.

A vision of the Lamb, Rev 5. 6-9.

1 All mortal vanities, be gone, Nor tempt my eyes, nor tire my ears, Behold amidst th' eternal throne A vision of the Lamb appears.