Holy Spirit, shed thy grace,
And let me feel the soft'ning show'r;
Love me freely, seal my peace,
And bid me sin no more.
335. Conflict. L.M.
Cast down, but not destroyed.-2 COR. iv. 9.
THOUGH sore beset with guilt and fear,
I cannot, dare not, quite despair;
If I must perish, would the Lord
Have taught my heart to love his word!
2 Would he have giv'n me eyes to see
My danger, and my remedy;
Reveal'd his name, and bid me pray,
Had he resolv'd to say me nay?
3 No-though cast down, I am not slain !
I fall, but I shall rise again;
The present, Satan, is thy hour,
But JESUS shall control thy pow'r:
4 His love will plead for my relief,
He hears my groans, he sees my grief;
Nor will he suffer thee to boast,
A soul, that sought his help, was lost.
5 'Tis true, I have unfaithful been,
And griev'd his Spirit by my sin;
Yet still his mercy he'll reveal,
And all my wounds and follies heal :
6 Abounding sin I must confess,
But more abounding is his grace;
He once vouchsaf'd for me to bleed,
And now he lives my cause to plead.
7 I'll cast myself before his feet,
I see him on his mercy-seat
('Tis sprinkled with atoning blood);
There sinners find access to GOD:
8 Ye burden'd souls, approach with me, And make the SAVIOUR's name your plea:
JESUS will pardon all who come,
And strike our fierce accuser dumb.
336. Conflict. C. M.
Cease ye from man.-ISAIAH ii, 22.
UNCERTAIN how the way to find
Which to salvation led,
I list'ned long, with anxious mind,
To hear what others said.
2 When some of joys and comforts told,
I fear'd that I was wrong;
For I was stupid, dead, and cold,
Had neither joy nor song.
3 The LORD my lab`ring heart reliev❜d, And made my burden light;
Then for a moment I believ'd,
Supposing all was right.
4 Of fierce temptations others talk'd, Of anguish and dismay,
Thro' what distresses they had walk'd, Before they found the way.
5 Ah! then I thought my hopes were For I had liv'd at ease;
I wish'd for all my fears again,
To make me more like these.
6 I had my wish; the LORD disclos'd
The evils of my heart,
And left my naked soul expos'd
To Satan's fiery dart.
7 Alas! "I now must give it up,"
I cry'd in deep despair;
How could I dream of drawing hope
From what I cannot bear !
8 JESUS again my peace restor❜d
And freed from doubts my breast; Henceforth I'd simply trust his word, And leave to him the rest.
Hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily. Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it. PSALM lxix. 17, 18.
ENCOMPASS'D with clouds of dis-
Just ready all hope to resign; [tress,
I long for the sight of thy face,
And fear it will never be mine:
Dishearten'd with waiting so long,
I sink at thy feet with my load,
Thus mournfully pour out my song,
And lift up my hands unto God.
2 Shine, Lord, and my terror shall cease; The blood of atonement apply: Oh! lead me to JESUS for
peace,
The Rock that is higher than I.
Speak, SAVIOUR, for sweet is thy voice:
Thy presence is fair to behold:
I thirst for thy Spirit, with cries
And groanings that cannot be told.
3 If sometimes I strive, as I mourn,
My hold of thy promise to keep,
The billows more fiercely return,
And plunge me again in the deep!
While harass'd and cast from thy sight,
The Tempter suggestions will pour,
The LORD hath forsaken thee quite :
Thy GOD will be gracious no more.
4 Yet, Lord, if thy love has design'd
No covenant blessing for me,
Ah, tell me, how is it I find
Some sweetness in waiting for thee?
Almighty to rescue thou art,
Thy strength do I trust in alone;
O save now, and comfort my heart,
And keep it for ever thine own!
338. The Backslider's Prayer. 8-8-6.
If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, JESUS CHRIST the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins.-1 JOHN ii. 1, 2.
THOU sinner's advocate with GOD,
My only trust is in thy blood,
Thou all-atoning Lamb;
The virtue of thy death impart,
Speak comfort to my drooping heart,
And tell me all thy name.
2 Give me thy pard'ning love to feel,
And freely my backsliding heal,
Repair my faith's decay;
Restore the sweetness of thy grace,
Reveal the glories of thy face,
And take my sins away.
3 Speak, LORD, and let me find thee near,
O come, and dissipate my fear,
Declare my sins forgiven:
Return, thou Prince of Peace, return,
Thou comforter of all that mourn,
And guide me safe to heaven.
339. Doubting. 8-8-6.
Search me, O GOD, and know my heart.-PSALM cxxxix. 23.
THOU gracious GOD, whose love unknown
Hath thus far gently led me on,
|