e 3 I've seen an end of what we call
Perfection, here below;
How short the pow'rs of nature fall,
And cau no further go.
4 Yet men would fain be just with God,
By works their hands have wrought;
But thy commands, exceeding broad,
Extend to ev'ry thought.
e 5 In vain we boast perfection here,
While sin defiles our frame,
And sinks our virtues down so far
They scarce deserve the name.
-6 Our faith, and love, and ev'ry grace, Fall far below thy word;
But perfect truth and righteousness
Dwell only with the Lord.
C. M. EIGHTH PART.
The Word of GOD the Saint's Portion. Ver. 111, paraphrased.
1 LORD, I have made thy word my My lasting heritage; [choice,
• There shall my noblest pow'rs rejoice, My warmest thoughts engage.
b2 I'll read the hist'ries of thy love,
And keep thy laws in sight;
While through the promises I rove,
With ever fresh delight.
---3 'Tis a broad land-of wealth unknown, Where springs of life arise,
2 Seeds of immortal bliss are sown, And hidden glory lies.
1HOU God of love, thou ever blest,
THOU
Pity my suff'ring state;
When wilt thou set my soul at rest
From lips that love deceit!
2 Hard lot of mine! my days are cast
Among the sous of strife,
Whose never ceasing brawlings waste
My golden hours of life.
30 might I fly to change my place,
How would I choose to dwell
In some wide lonesome wilderness,
And leave these gates of hell!
4 Peace is the blessing that I seek,
How lovely are its charms!
I am for peace; but when I speak,
They all declare for arms.
5 New passions still their souls engage,
And keep their malice strong;
What shall be done to curb thy rage,
O thou devouring tongue!
6 Should burning arrows smite thee
Strict justice would approve; [thro'
But I had rather spare my foe,
And melt his heart with love.
-5 He guides our feet, he guards our way;
His morning smiles bless all the day;
He spreads the ev'ning veil, and keeps
The silent hours while Israel sleeps.
o 4 Israel, a name divinely blest, May rise secure, securely rest; Thy holy Guardian's wakeful eyes Admit no slumber nor surprise.
-5 No sun shall smite thy head by day,
Nor the pale moon, with sickly ray,
Shall blast thy couch; no baleful star
Dart his malignant fire so far.
a 6 Should earth and hell with malice burn,
Still thou shalt go, and still return,
Safe in the Lord; his heav'nly care
Defends thy life from ev'ry snare.
-7 On thee foul spirits have no pow'r;
e And, in thy last departing hour,
o Angels, who trace the airy road;
Shall bear thee homeward to thy God.
TRURO. QUERCY.
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