Hast thou not bid me seek thy face?
And shall I seek in vain?
And can the ear of sov'reign grace
Be deaf when I complain?
No; still the ear of sov'reign grace
Attends the mourner's pray'r;
I ever find access
To breathe my sorrows there.
Thy mercy-seat is open still;
Here let my soul retreat,
With humble hope attend thy will,
And wait beneath thy feet.
12. A Penitent pleading for pardon.
SHOW pity, Lord, O Lord forgive;
Let a repenting rebel live:
Are not thy mercies large and free?
May not a sinner trust in Thee?
My crimes are great, but don't surpass
The power and glory of thy grace;
Great God! thy mercy hath no bound,
So let thy pard'ning love be found.
O wash my soul from ev'ry sin,
And make my guilty conscience clean;
Here on my heart the burden lies,
And-past offences pain my eyes.
My lips with shame my sins confess,
Against thy law, against thy grace;
Lord! should thy judgment grow severe,
I am condemned, but Thou art clear.
Yet save a trembling sinner, Lord!
Whose hope, still hovering round thy word,
Would light on some sweet promise there,
Some sure support against despair,
13. The Sinner converted.
WHEN, with my mind divinely prest,
Dear Saviour! my revolving breast
Would past offences trace;
Trembling I make the black review,
Yet pleased behold, admiring too,
The pow'r of changing grace.
This tongue, with blasphemies defil'd,
These feet, to erring paths beguil'd,
In heav'nly league agree;
Who could believe such lips could praise,
Or think my dark and winding ways
Should ever lead to thee?
These eyes, that once abus'd their sight,
Now lift to thee their watʼry light,
And weep a silent flood;
These hands ascend in secret pray'r;
O wash away the stains they wear,
In pure redeeming blood!
These ears, that pleas'd could entertain
The midnight oath, the lusting strain,
When round the festal board;
Now deaf to all th' enchanting noise,
Avoid the throng, detest the joys,
And press to hear thy word.
Thus art thou serv'd in ev'ry part;
And now thou dost transform my
That heap of dross refine :
Now grace doth nature's strength control, And a new creature-body-soul,
Are, Lord! for ever thine.
Prayer, Gratitude and Praise,
FATHER of Jesus Christ, my Lord!
I humbly seek thy face,
Encourag'd by the Saviour's word,
To ask thy pardoning grace.
Thus entering in my closet, I
The busy world exclude,
In secret prayer for mercy cry,
And groan to be renew'd.
Far from the paths of men, to THEE
I solemnly retire :
See THOU, who do'st in secret see,
And grant my heart's desire.
Thy grace I languish to receive,
Spirit of love and pow'r!
Blameless before thy face to live,
To live and sin no more.
Fain would I all thy goodness feel,
And know my sins forgiven!
And do on earth thy perfect will,
As it is done in heaven.
O Father! glorify thy Son,
Ard grant what I require;
For Jesu's sake, the gift send down,
And answer me by fire.
Kindle the flame of love within,.
Which may to heaven ascend,
And now the work of grace begin,
Which shall in glory end,
2. Malachi iv. 2.
O SUN of righteousness, arise,
With healing in thy wing;
To my diseas'd, my fainting soul,
Thy free salvation bring.
All clouds of pride and sin dispel,
By thy all piercing beam;
Lighten mine eyes with faith, my heart
With holy hope inflame.
My heart, by thy all quick'ning pow'r,
From vile desires set free;
Unite my scatter'd thoughts, and fix
My love entire on thee.
Father thy long-lost child receive;
Saviour! thy purchase own;
Blest Comforter with peace and joy
Thy waiting creature crown,
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