E'en from my infant days,
Mine inmost soul expose to view,
And tell me if I ever knew
Thy justifying grace.
2 If now thy Spirit were in me,
Would he not testify of thee
In JESUS reconcil'd;
And should I not with faith draw nigh,
And boldly "Abba Father," cry,
And know myself thy child.
3 Whate'er obstructs thy pard'ning love,
Sin or self-righteousness remove,
Thy glory to display;
My heart of unbelief convince,
And now absolve me from my sins,
And take them all away.
4 Father, in me reveal thy Son,
And in my inmost soul make known,
How merciful thou art:
The secret of thy love reveal,
And by thine hallowing Spirit dwell
For ever in
my heart.
340. Doubting. 8-7.
JESUS, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.-MARK
x. 47.
JESUS, full of all compassion,
Hear thy humble suppliant's cry;
Let me know thy great salvation;
See I languish, faint, and die:
Guilty, but with heart relenting,
Overwhelm'd with helpless grief,
Prostrate at thy feet repenting,
Send, O'send me quick relief!
2 Whither should a wretch be flying,
But to him who comfort gives?
Whither, from the dread of dying,
But to him who ever lives?
Hear then, blessed SAVIOUR, hear me,
My soul cleaveth to the dust;
Send the Comforter to cheer me,
Lo! in Thee I put my trust.
3 On the word thy blood hath sealed,
Hangs my everlasting all;
Let thine arm be now revealed,
Stay, O stay me, lest I fall!
In the world of endless ruin,
Let it never, LORD, be said,
"Here's a soul that perish'd sueing
"For the boasted SAVIOUR'S aid!"
341. Doubting. C.M.
I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. -ISAIAH lvii. 15.
THE Lord will happiness divine
On contrite hearts bestow:
Then tell me, gracious GOD, is mine
A contrite heart or no?
2 I hear, but seem to hear in vain,
Insensible as steel;
If aught is felt, 'tis only pain,
To find I cannot feel.
3 I sometimes think myself inclin'd
To love thee, if I could;
But often feel another mind,
Averse to all that's good.
4 My best desires are faint and few,
I fain would strive for more ;
But when I cry, "My strength renew,"
Seem weaker than before.
5 Thy saints are comforted, I know,
And love thy house of pray'r;
I therefore go where others go,
But find no comfort there.
60 make this heart rejoice or ache;
Decide this doubt for me;
And if it be not broken, break,
And heal it, if it be.
I have taught thee in the way of wisdom: I have led thee in right paths.-PROV. iv. 11.
I ASK'D the Lord, that I might grow
In faith, and love, and ev'ry grace;
Might more of his salvation know,
And seek more earnestly his face.
2 'Twas he who taught me thus to pray,
And he, I trust, has answer'd pray'r;
But it has been in such a way,
As almost drove me to despair.
3 I hop'd that in some favour'd hour,
At once he'd answer my request;
And by his love's constraining pow'r,
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.
4 Instead of this, he made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry pow'rs of hell
Assault my soul in ev'ry part.
5 Yea more, with his own hand he seem'd ́. Intent to aggravate my woe;
Cross'd all the fair designs I schem'd, *Blasted my gourds, and laid me low. 6 Lord, why is this?' I trembling cried; Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?' 'Tis in this way,' the Lord reply'd, 'I answer prayer for grace and faith: 7 These inward trials I employ,
'From self and pride to set thee free; And break thy schemes of earthly joy, 'That thou may'st seek thy all in me.'
343. Spiritual Decay. C. M.
Oh that I were as in months past.-JOB xxix. 2.
SWEET was the time when first I felt
The SAVIOUR'S pard'ning blood
Apply'd, to cleanse my soul from guilt,
And bring me home to God.
2 Soon as the morn the light reveal'd,
His praises tun'd my tongue;
And when the ev'ning shades prevail'd
His love was all my song.
3. In vain the tempter spreads his wiles,
The world no more could charm;
I liv'd upon my SAVIOUR'S Smiles,
And lean'd upon his arm.
4 In pray'r my soul drew near the LORD,
And saw his glory shine:
And when I read his holy word,
I call'd each promise mine.
5 Then to his saints I often spoke,
Of what his love had done;
But now my heart is almost broke,
For all my joys are gone.
6 Now, when the evening shade prevails, My soul in darkness mourns;
And when the morn the light reveals,
No light to me returns.
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