287. Renouncing all self-dependence to depend upon Christ alone.-C.M.

For I was alive without the law once; but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.-ROM. vii. 9.

HOW empty was our former boast,
Our foolishness of pride,

When in ourselves we put our trust,
And on our works relied?

2 Strong in the freedom of our will,
Firm in our nature's pow'rs,
We thought to gain the heav'nly hill,
And seize the crown as ours.

3 Our good desires, our hearts sincere,
Our best endeavours-stood
T'atone for our transgressions here,
In place of JESU's blood.

4 [Alas, for us! we knew not then
His blood and righteousness,
Through which alone the sons of men
Are sav'd by richest grace.]

5 But now, O gracious GoD, thy love
Hath taught us better things;
Our all is giv'n us from above,
From thee salvation springs.

6 Freely thy love delights to save,
Nor asks from man a price;
JESUS himself a ransom gave
Our bleeding sacrifice.

7 We own the sole procuring cause,
That precious blood divine:
May we, since JESUS died for us,
May we live ever thine.

288. Renouncing all for Christ. L.M.

I count all things but dung, that I may win CHRIST, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of CHRIST, the righteousness which is of GOD by faith. -PHIL, iii. 8, 9.

NO more, my God, I boast no more
Of all the duties I have done;
I quit the hopes I held before,
To trust the merits of thy SoN.

2 Now, for the love I bear his name,
What was my gain I count my loss;
My former pride I count my shame,
And glory only in his cross.

3 Yes, and I must and will esteem All things but loss for JESU's sake: Oh may my soul be found in him, And of his righteousness partake. 4 The best obedience of my hands Dares not appear before thy throne; But faith can answer thy demands, By pleading what my Lord has done.

289. Rejoicing in the Salvation of God. L.M.

1

The Lord liveth, and blessed be my rock; and let the GOD of my salvation be exalted.-PSALM Xviii, 46.

JUST are thy ways, and true thy word, Great rock of my secure abode: Who is a GOD besides the Lord? Or where's a refuge like our God? 2 'Tis he that girds me with his might, Gives me his holy sword to wield; And, while with sin and hell I fight, Spreads his salvation for my shield. 3 He lives (and blessed be my rock), The God of my salvation lives: The dark designs of hell are broke; Sweet is the peace my Father gives.

4 Before the scoffers of the age I will exalt my Father's name; Nor tremble at their mighty rage, But meet reproach, and bear the shame. 5 To David and his royal seed, Thy grace for ever shall extend;

Thy love to saints, in CHRIST their head, Knows not a limit nor an end.

290. Repenting. L.M.

How shall I put thee among the children?-JER. iii. 19. PITY a helpless sinner, Lord,

Who would believe thy gracious word :

But own my heart,with shame and grief,
A sink of sin and unbelief.

2 Lord, in thy house I'm told there's room,

With doubts and fears behold I come:
But can there-tell me-can there be,
Among thy children, room for me?

3 For sinners, JESUS came to bleed;
And I'm a sinner, vile indeed!
Lord, I believe thy grace is free,
O magnify that grace in me.

291. Comfort Restored to the Repenting Backslider. C. M.

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. PSALM li. 12.

LORD, to my soul speak peace again,
And cheer my
broken heart:
No voice but thine can soothe my pain,
Or bid my fears depart.

2 And canst thou still vouchsafe to own A wretch so vile as I?

And may I still approach thy throne,
And Abba, Father," cry?

30 then let saints and angels join,
And help me to proclaim

The grace that heals a fall like mine,
And puts my foes to shame!

4 My SAVIOUR, by his pow'rful word,
Has turn'd my night to day;
And his salvation's joys restor❜d,
Which I had sinn'd away.

5 Lord, let me wonder and adore :
Thy grace is all divine;
O keep me that I sin no more,
Against such love as thine!

292. Repenting. L. M.

Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquíties; create in me a clean heart, O GOD; and renew a right spirit within me.-PSALM li. 9, 10.

O THOU that hear'st when sinners cry, Though all my crimes before thee lie, Behold them not with angry look, But blot their mem'ry from thy book. 2 Create my nature pure within, And form my soul averse from sin : O let thy Spirit ne'er depart,

Nor hide thy presence from my heart.

3 I cannot live without thy light, Cast out and banish'd from thy sight;