The hour is approaching, and at my time of life cannot be very distant, when my heart, my pen, and my tongue, will no longer be able to move in their service. But I trust while my heart continues to beat, it will feel a warm desire for the prosperity of their souls; and while my hand can write, and my tongue speak, it will be the business and the pleasure of my life, to aim at promoting their growth and establishment in the grace of our God and Saviour. To this precious grace I commend them, and earnestly entreat them, and all who love his name, to strive mightily with their prayers to God for me, that I may be preserved faithful to the end, and enabled at last to finish my course with joy.
Book I
On Select Texts of Scripture
1
Adam
By Newton
Genesis 3.
I
On man, in his own image made,
How much did God bestow!
The whole creation homage paid,
And own’d him lord below.
II
He dwelt in Eden’s garden, stored
With sweets for every sense;
And there, with his descending Lord,
He walk’d in confidence.
III
But, oh by sin how quickly changed—
His honour forfeited—
His heart from God and truth estranged—
His conscience fill’d with dread!
IV
Now from his Maker’s voice he flees,
Which was before his joy,
And thinks to hide amidst the trees
From an all-seeing eye.
V
Compell’d to answer to his name,
With stubbornness and pride,
He cast on God himself the blame,
Nor once for mercy cried.
VI
But grace, unask’d, his heart subdued,
And all his guilt forgave;
By faith the promised Seed he view’d,
And felt His power to save.
VII
Thus we ourselves would justify,
Though we the law transgress—
Like him, unable to deny,
Unwilling to confess.
VIII
But when by faith the sinner sees
A pardon bought with blood,
Then he forsakes his foolish pleas
And gladly turns to God.
2
Cain and Abel
By Newton
Genesis 4:3–8.
I
When Adam fell he quickly lost
God’s image, which he once possess’d:
See all our nature since could boast,
In Cain, his first-born son, express’d!
II
The sacrifice the Lord ordain’d
In type of the Redeemer’s blood
Self-righteous reasoning Cain disdain’d,
And thought his own first-fruits as good.
III
Yet rage and envy fill’d his mind
When, with a sullen downcast look,
He saw his brother favour find,
Who God’s appointed method took.
IV
By Cain’s own hand good Abel died,
Because the Lord approved his faith;
And, when his blood for vengeance cried,
He vainly thought to hide his death.
V
Such was the wicked murderer Cain,
And such by nature still are we—
Untill by grace we’re born again,
Malicious, blind, and proud as he.
VI
Like him the way of grace we slight,
And in our own devices trust;
Call evil good, and darkness light,
And hate and persecute the just.
VII
The saints in every age and place
Have found his history fulfill’d:
The numbers all our thoughts surpass
Of Abels whom the Cains have kill’d!
VIII
Thus Jesus fell; but, oh! his blood
Far better things than Abel’s cries—
Obtains his murderers’ peace with God,
And gains them mansions in the skies.
3
Walking with God
By Cowper
Genesis 5:24.
I
Oh for a closer walk with God,
A calm and heavenly frame,
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb!
II
Where is the blessedness I knew
When first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soul-refreshing view
Of Jesus and his word?
III
What peaceful hours I once enjoy’d!
How sweet their mem’ry still!
But they have left an aching void
The world can never fill.
IV
Return, O holy Dove! return,
Sweet messenger of rest;
I hate the sins that made thee mourn,
And drove thee from my breast.
V
The dearest idol I have known,
Whate’er that idol be,
Help me to tear it from thy throne,
And worship only thee.
VI
So shall my walk be close with God,
Calm and serene my frame;
So purer light shall mark the road
That leads me to the Lamb.
4
Another
By Newton
I
By faith in Christ I walk with God,
With heaven, my journey’s end, in view;
Supported by his staff and rod,
My road is safe and pleasant too.
II
I travel through a desert wide,
Where many round me blindly stray:
But he vouchsafes to be my guide,
And will not let me miss my way.
III
Though snares and dangers throng my path.
And earth and hell my course withstand,
I triumph over all by faith,
Guarded by his almighty hand.
IV
The wilderness affords no food,
But God for my support prepares—
Provides me every needful good,
And frees my soul from wants and cares.
V
With him sweet converse I maintain;
Great as he is, I dare be free;
I tell him all my grief and pain,
And he reveals his love to me.
VI
Some cordial from his word he brings
Whene’er my feeble spirit faints—
At once my soul revives and sings,
And yields no more to sad complaints.
VII
I pity all that worldlings talk
Of pleasures that will quickly end:
Be this my choice, O Lord, to walk
With thee, my Guide, my Guard, my Friend.
5
Lot in Sodom
By Newton
Genesis 13:10.
I
How hurtful was the choice of Lot,
Who took up his abode
(Because it was
