4 With golden bells, the priestly vest,* And rich pomegranates border'd round, The need of holiness express'd, And call'd for fruit as well as sound. 5 Easy, indeed, it were to reach 6 But none shall gain the blissful place, Unless that grace has made him free. LVII. ABUSE OF THE GOSPEL. I TOO many, LORD, abuse thy grace, And while they boast they see thy face, 2 Thy book displays a gracious light But these are dazzled by the sight, Exodus, xxviii. 33. 3 The pardon such presume upon, And when they plead it at thy throne, 4 Was it for this, ye lawless tribe, Is this the grace the saints imbibe 5 Ah, LORD, we know thy chosen few But these the wretched husks they chew 6 The liberty our hearts implore But still to wait at wisdom's door, LVIII. THE NARROW WAY. I WHAT thousands never knew the road! None but the chosen tribes of GoD 2 A thousand ways in ruin end; 3 No more I ask, or hope to find, 4 The joy that fades is not for me; grow. 5 Cleave to the world, ye sordid worms, But God shall fight, with all his storms, LIX. WALKING WITH GOD. I OH! for a closer walk with GOD, 2 Where is the blessedness I knew, 3 What peaceful hours I once enjoy'd! But they have left an aching void 4 Return, O holy Dove, return, I hate the sins that made thee mourn, 5 The dearest idol I have known, Help me to tear it from thy throne, 6 So shall my walk be close with God, LX. DEPENDENCE. TO keep the lamp alive, 2 The LORD's unsparing hand It is not at our own command, 3 Beware of Peter's word,* Nor confidently say, "I never will deny thee, LORD," 4 Man's wisdom is to seek 5 And e'en an angel would be weak, Retreat beneath his wings, And in his grace confide ; This more exalts the King of kings† Than all your works beside. 6 In JESUS is our store; Grace issues from his throne ; LXI. NOT OF WORKS. I GRACE, triumphant in the throne, Scorns a rival, reigns alone! Come and bow beneath her sway, Cast your idol works away: * Matt. xxvi. 33. † John, vi. 29. |