But till the Lord anoints our eyes
We cannot read a word.
II
Philosophers have pored in vain,
And guess’d from age to age;
For reason’s eye could ne’er attain
To understand a page.
III
Though to each star they give a name,
Its size and motions teach,
The truths which all the stars proclaim
Their wisdom cannot reach.
IV
With skill to measure earth and sea,
And weigh the subtle air,
They cannot, Lord, discover thee
Though present everywhere.
V
The knowledge of the saints excels
The wisdom of the schools;
To them his secrets God reveals
Though men account them fools.
VI
To them the sun and stars on high,
The flow’rs that paint the field,
And all the artless birds that fly,
Divine instructions yield.
VII
The creatures on their senses press,
As witnesses to prove
Their Saviour’s power and faithfulness,
His providence and love.
VIII
Thus may we study nature’s book,
To make us wise indeed!
And pity those who only look
At what they cannot read.
82
The Rainbow
By Newton
I
When the sun with cheerful beams
Smiles upon a low ring sky,
Soon its aspect soften’d seems,
And a rainbow meets the eye:
While the sky remains serene
This bright arch is never seen.
II
Thus the Lord’s supporting pow’r
Brightest to his saints appears,
When affliction’s threat’ning hour
Fills their sky with clouds and fears:
He can wonders then perform,
Paint a rainbow on the storm.
III
All their graces doubly shine
When their troubles press them sore;
And the promises divine
Give them joys unknown before:
As the colours of the bow
To the cloud their brightness owe.
IV
Favour’d John a rainbow saw,
Circling round a throne above;
Hence the saints a pledge may draw
Of unchanging cov’nant love:
Clouds awhile may intervene,
But the bow will still be seen.
83
Thunder
By Newton
I
When a black o’erspreading cloud
Has darken’d all the air,
And peals of thunder, roaring loud,
Proclaim the tempest near;
II
Then guilt and fear, the fruits of sin,
The sinner oft pursue;
A louder storm is heard within,
And conscience thunders too.
III
The law a fiery language speaks,
His danger he perceives;
Like Satan, who his ruin seeks,
He trembles and believes.
IV
But when the sky serene appears,
And thunders roll no more,
He soon forgets his vows and fears.
Just as he did before.
V
But whither shall the sinner flee
When nature’s mighty frame,
The pond’rous earth and air and sea,
Shall all dissolve in flame?
VI
Amazing day! It comes apace!
The Judge is hasting down!
Will sinners bear to see his face,
Or stand before his frown?
VII
Lord, let thy mercy find a way
To touch each stubborn heart,
That they may never hear thee say,
“Ye cursed ones, depart!”
VIII
Believers, you may well rejoice!
The thunder’s loudest strains
Should be to you a welcome voice,
That tells you, “Jesus reigns!”
84
Lightning in the Night
By Newton
I
A glance from heav’n with sweet effect,
Sometimes my pensive spirit cheers;
But, ere I can my thoughts collect,
As suddenly it disappears.
II
So lightning in the gloom of night
Affords a momentary day;
Disclosing objects full in sight,
Which, soon as seen, are snatch’d away,
III
Ah! what avail these pleasing scenes!
They do but aggravate my pain;
While darkness quickly intervenes,
And swallows up my joys again.
IV
But shall I murmur at relief?
Though short, it was a precious view.
Sent to control my unbelief,
And prove that what I read was true,
V
The lightning’s flash did not create
The opening prospect it reveal’d;
But only showed the real state
Of what the darkness had conceal d.
VI
Just so, we by a glimpse discern
The glorious things within the veil,
That, when in darkness, we may learn
To live by faith till light prevail.
VII
The Lord’s great day will soon advance,
Dispersing all the shades of night;
Then we no more shall need a glance,
But see by an eternal light.
85
On the Eclipse of the Moon. July 30, 1776
By Newton
I
The moon in silver glory shone,
And not a cloud in sight,
When suddenly a shade begun
To intercept her light
II
How fast across her orb it spread!
How fast her light withdrew!
A circle, tinged with languid red,
Was all appear’d in view.
III
While many, with unmeaning eye,
Gaze on thy works in vain,
Assist me, Lord, that I may try
Instruction to obtain.
IV
Fain would my thankful heart and lips
Unite in praise of thee,
And meditate on thy eclipse
In sad Gethsemane.
V
Thy people’s guilt, a heavy load,
(When standing in their room,)
Deprived thee of the light of God,
And fill’d thy soul with gloom.
VI
How punctu’lly eclipses move,
Obedient to thy will!
Thus shall thy faithfulness and love
Thy promises fulfill.
VII
Dark, like the moon without the sun,
I mourn thine absence, Lord!
For light or comfort I have none
But what thy beams afford.
VIII
But, lo! the hour draws near apace,
When changes shall be o’er;
Then I shall see thee face to face,
And be eclipsed no more.
86
Moonlight
By Newton
I
The moon has but a borrow’d light,
A faint and feeble ray;
She owes her beauty to the night,
And hides herself by day.
II
No cheering warmth her beam conveys,
Though pleasing to behold;
We might upon her brightness gaze
Till we were starved with cold.
III
Just such is all the light to man
Which reason can impart;
It cannot show one object plain,
Nor warm the frozen heart.
IV
Thus moonlight views of truth divine
To many fatal prove;
For what avail in gifts to shine,
Without a spark of love?
V
The gospel, like the sun at noon,
Affords a glorious light;
Then fallen reason’s boasted moon
Appears no longer bright.
VI
And grace, not light alone, bestows,
But adds a quick’ning power;
The desert blossoms like the rose,
And sin prevails no more.
