Is open to thine eyes.
III
Though greatly from myself conceal’d,
Thou seest my inward frame;
To thee I always stand reveal’d
Exactly as I am.
IV
Since, therefore, I can hardly bear
What in myself I see,
How vile and black must I appear
Most holy God, to thee!
V
But since my Saviour stands between,
In garments dyed in blood,
’Tis he, instead of me, is seen,
When I approach to God.
VI
Thus, though a sinner, I am safe;
He pleads before the throne
’Tis life and death in my behalf,
And calls my sins his own.
VII
What wondrous love, what mysteries,
In this appointment shine!
My breaches of the law are his,
And his obedience mine.
42
The Pilgrim’s Song
By Newton
I
From Egypt lately freed
By the Redeemer’s grace,
A rough and thorny path we tread,
In hopes to see his face.
II
The flesh dislikes the way,
But faith approves it well!
This only leads to endless day,
All others lead to hell.
III
The promised land of peace
Faith keeps in constant view;
How diff’rent from the wilderness
We are now passing through!
IV
Here often from our eyes
Clouds hide the light divine:
There we shall have unclouded skies,
Our sun will always shine.
V
Here griefs and cares and pains
And fears distress us sore!
But there eternal pleasure reigns,
And we shall weep no more.
VI
Lord, pardon our complaints,
We follow at thy call;
The joy prepared for suff’ring saints
Will make amends for all.29
IV
Comfort
43
Faith a New and Comprehensive Sense
By Newton
I
Sight, hearing, feeling, taste, and smell.
Are gifts we highly prize;
But faith does singly each excel,
And all the five comprise.
II
More piercing than the eagle’s sight,
It views the world unknown,
Surveys the glorious realms of light,
And Jesus on the throne.
III
It hears the mighty voice of God,
And ponders what he saith.
His word and works, his gifts and rod,
Have each a voice to faith.
IV
It feels the touch of heav’nly power,
And from that boundless source
Derives fresh vigour every hour
To run its daily course.
V
The truth and goodness of the Lord
Are suited to its taste;
Mean is the worldling’s pamper’d board,
To faith’s perpetual feast.
VI
It smells the dear Redeemer’s name
Like ointment poured forth;
Faith only knows, or can proclaim,
Its savour or its worth.
VII
Till saving faith possess the mind,
In vain of sense we boast;
We are but senseless, tasteless, blind,
And deaf and dead and lost.
44
The Happy Change
By Cowper
I
How blest thy creature is, God,
When, with a single eye,
He views the lustre of thy word—
The day-spring from on high!
II
Through all the storms that veil the skies,
And frown on earthly things,
The Sun of Righteousness he eyes,
With healing on his wings.
III
Struck by that light, the human heart,
A barren soil no more,
Sends the sweet smell of grace abroad,
Where serpents lurk’d before.
IV
The soul, a dreary province once
Of Satan’s dark domain,
Feels a new empire form’d within,
And owns a heav’nly reign.
V
The glorious orb, whose golden beams
The fruitful year control,
Since first, obedient to thy word,
He started from the goal,
VI
Has cheer’d the nations with the joys
His orient rays impart:
But, Jesus, ’tis thy light alone
Can shine upon the heart.
45
Retirement
By Cowper
I
Far from the world, O Lord, I flee.
From strife and tumult far!
From scenes where Satan wages still
His most successful war.
II
The calm retreat, the silent shade,
With pray’r and praise agree;
And seem by thy sweet bounty made
For those who follow thee.
III
There, if thy Spirit touch the soul,
And grace her mean abode,
Oh with what peace and joy and love
She communes with her God!
IV
There like the nightingale she pours
Her solitary lays;
Nor asks a witness of her song,
Nor thirsts for human praise.
V
Author and Guardian of my life,
Sweet source of light divine,
And (all harmonious names in one)
My Saviour, thou art mine!
VI
What thanks I owe thee, and what love,
A boundless, endless store,
Shall echo through the realms above
When time shall be no more.
46
Jesus My All
By Newton
I
Why should I fear the darkest hour,
Or tremble at the tempter’s power!
Jesus vouchsafes to be my tower.
II
Though hot the fight, why quit the field,
Why must I either flee or yield,
Since Jesus is my mighty shield?
III
When creature-comforts fade and die,
Worldlings may weep, but why should I,
Jesus still lives, and still is nigh?
IV
Though all the flocks and herds were dead,
My soul a famine need not dread,
For Jesus is my living bread.
V
I know not what may soon betide,
Or how my wants shall be supplied;
But Jesus knows, and will provide.
VI
Though sin would fill me with distress,
The throne of grace I dare address,
For Jesus is my righteousness.
VII
Though faint my pray rs, and cold my love,
My steadfast hope shall not remove
While Jesus intercedes above.
VIII
Against me earth and hell combine,
But on my side is power divine;
Jesus is all, and he is mine.
47
The Hidden Life
By Cowper
I
To tell the Saviour all my wants,
How pleasing is the task!
Nor less to praise him when he grants
Beyond what I can ask.
II
My lab’ring spirit vainly seeks
To tell but half the joy;
With how much tenderness he speaks,
And helps me to reply.
III
Nor were it wise, nor should I choose,
Such secrets to declare;
Like precious wines, their
