238. C. M. CowPER. Obedience. Noftrength of nature can fuffice To the Lord aright; And what she has, fhe mifapplies, Long time beneath the law I lay, In bondage and distress; I toil'd the precept to obey, But toil'd without fuccefs: Then-to abftain from outward fin Then-all my fervile works were done "What shall I do," was then the word, Is my inquiry now. To fee the law by Chrift fulfill'd, To hear his pard'ning voice, Changes a flave into a child, GRACES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. SINCE 239. C. M. Conformity to Jefus. INCE Chrift has borne my fin and curse, Why am I then afflicted thus? Why must I figh and groan ? Why yet does rebel nature live?' What! muft temptations still prevail, What! muft my worldly aims be cross'd? Is there no way to glorify Chrift's death and honor'd name, Unless unto myself I die, And bear reproach and shame ?— Whene'er these thoughts oppress my heart, I'm ready then to faint; But, when I view my Savior's smart, Be ftill, my foul; this is the path; THE CHRISTIAN. On the brink of fiery ruin, Justice, with a flaming fword Was my guilty foul purfuing, Sweet as angels' notes in heaven, To the foul by fatan bound: Was that heav'nly voice to me, When I faw my Lord, before me, Bleed and die to fet me free !— Now, dear Lord, again difcover To my foul, that thou art mine; Tell me, O thou heav'nly lover, That I am for ever thine. JESUS, and didnt thon condescend When veil'd in human Clay, To heal the fick, the lame, the blind, And didft thou pity wretched worms, Didft thou regard the beggar's cry, And didft thou pity mortal woe, And didft thou fave a trembling frame, I perish Lord! O fave my foul ! 242. C. M. WATTS'S H. The repenting Prodigal. BEHOLD the wretch whofe luft and wine his eftate, He begs a fhare among the fwine, "I die with hunger here, (he cries) "My father's houfe has large fupplies, "And bounteous are his hands. "I'll go, and with a mournful tongue "Fall down before his face; "Father, I've done thy juftice wrong, Nor can deferve thy grace." 66 He said, and haften'd to his home, He ran and fell upon his neck, "Take off his clothes of fhame and fin," (The father gives command) "Drefs him in garments white and clean, With rings adorn his hand. "A day of feafting I ordain, "Let mirth and joy abound; My fon was dead, and lives again; SHEW HEW pity, Lord, O Lord forgive, Are not thy mercies large and free? My crimes are great, but not surpass |