II
Do they sing, “Worthy is the Lamb”?
Although we cannot reach their strains,
Yet we through grace can sing the same—
For us he died, for us he reigns.
III
If they behold him face to face,
While we a glimpse can only see,
Yet, equal debtors to his grace,
As safe and as beloved are we.
IV
They had, like us, a suff’ring time,
Our cares and fears and griefs they knew;
But they have conquer’d all through Him,
And we ere long shall conquer too.
V
Though all the songs of saints in light
Are far beneath His matchless worth,
His grace is such, He will not slight
The poor attempts of worms on earth.
On Prayer
60
Exhortation to Prayer
By Cowper
I
What various hindrances we meet
In coming to a mercy-seat!
Yet who that knows the worth of pray’r
But wishes to be often there?
II
Pray’r makes the darken’d cloud withdraw
Pray’r climbs the ladder Jacob saw,
Gives exercise to faith and love,
Brings every blessing from above.
III
Restraining pray’r, we cease to fight:
Pray’r makes the Christian’s armour bright;
And Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.
IV
While Moses stood with arms spread wide,
Success was found on Isr’el’s side;
But when through weariness they fail’d,
That moment Amalek prevail’d.
V
Have you no words? Ah! think again;
Words flow apace when you complain,
And fill your fellow-creature’s ear
With the sad tale of all your care.
VI
Were half the breath thus vainly spent
To Heaven in supplication sent,
Your cheerful song would oftener be,
“Hear what the Lord has done for me.”
61
Power of Prayer
By Newton
I
In themselves as weak as worms,
How can poor believers stand.
When temptations, foes, and storms,
Press them close on every hand?
II
Weak, indeed, they feel they are,
But they know the throne of grace;
And the God who answers pray’r
Helps them when they seek his face.
III
Though the Lord awhile delay,
Succour they at length obtain;
He who taught their hearts to pray
Will not let them cry in vain.
IV
Wrestling pray’r can wonders do,
Bring relief in deepest straits;
Pray’r can force a passage through
Iron bars and brazen gates.
V
Hezekiah on his knees
Proud Assyria’s host subdued;
And, when smitten with disease,
Had his life by pray’r renew’d.
VI
Peter, though confined and chain’d,
Pray’r prevail’d and brought him out
When Elijah pray’d it rain’d,
After three long years of drought.
VII
We can likewise witness bear,
That the Lord is still the same;
Though we fear’d he would not hear,
Suddenly deliv’rance came.
VIII
For the wonders he has wrought,
Let us now our praises give;
And, by sweet experience taught,
Call upon him while we live.
On the Scripture
62
The Light and Glory of the Word
By Cowper
I
The Spirit breathes upon the word,
And brings the truth to sight;
Precepts and promises afford
A sanctifying light.
II
A glory gilds the sacred page,
Majestic, like the sun;
It gives a light to every age,
It gives, but borrows none.
III
The hand that gave it still supplies
The gracious light and heat;
His truths upon the nations rise,
They rise, but never set.
IV
Let everlasting thanks be thine
For such a bright display
As makes a world of darkness shine
With beams of heav’nly day.
V
My soul rejoices to pursue
The steps of Him I love,
Till glory breaks upon my view
In brighter worlds above.
63
The Word More Precious Than Gold
By Newton
I
Precious Bible! what a treasure
Does the Word of God afford!
All I want for life or pleasure,
Food and med’cine, shield and sword;
Let the world account me poor,
Having this I need no more.
II
Food, to which the world’s a stranger,
Here my hungry soul enjoys;
Of excess there is no danger,
Though it fills, it never cloys:
On a dying Christ I feed—
He is meat and drink indeed!
III
When my faith is faint and sickly,
Or when Satan wounds my mind,
Cordials to revive me quickly,
Healing med’cines, here I find:
To the promises I flee,
Each affords a remedy.
IV
In the hour of dark temptation,
Satan cannot make me yield;
For the word of consolation
Is to me a mighty shield:
While the Scripture truths are sure,
From his malice I’m secure.
V
Vain his threats to overcome me
When I take the Spirit’s sword;
Then with ease I drive him from me—
Satan trembles at the word:
’Tis a sword for conquest made,
Keen the edge and strong the blade.
VI
Shall I envy then the miser,
Doting on his golden store?
Sure I am, or should be, wiser:
I am rich, ’tis he is poor:
Jesus gives me, in his word,
Food and med’cine, shield and sword.
III
Providences
64
On the Commencement of Hostilities in America
By Newton
I
The gath’ring clouds, with aspect dark,
A rising storm presage;
Oh! to be hid within the ark,
And shelter’d from its rage!
II
See the commission’d angel frown!
That vial in his hand,
Fill’d with fierce wrath, is pouring down
Upon our guilty land!
III
Ye saints, unite in wrestling pray’r,
If yet there may be hope;
Who knows but mercy yet may spare,
And bid the angel stop?
IV
Already is the plague begun,
And, fired with hostile rage,
Brethren, by blood and interest one,
With brethren now engage.
V
Peace spreads her wings, prepared for flight;
And war, with flaming sword
And hasty strides, draws nigh, to fight
The battles of the Lord.
VI
The first alarm, alas, how few,
While distant, seem to hear!
But they will hear, and tremble too,
When God shall send it near.
VII
So thunder o’er the distant hills
Gives but a murm’ring sound;
But as the tempest spreads, it falls
And shakes the welkin23round.
VIII
May we, at least, with one consent,
