2 The world's esteem is but a bribe,

To buy their peace you sell your own ;
The slave of a vain-glorious tribe,

Who hate you while they make you known. 3 The joy that vain amusements give,

Oh! sad conclusion that it brings !
The honey of a crowded hive,

Defended by a thousand stings.
4 'Tis thus the world rewards the fools

That live upon her treach'rous smiles ;
She leads them, blindfold, by her rules,
And ruins all whom she beguiles.
5 God knows the thousands who go down

From pleasure, into endless woe ;
And with a long despairing groan,

Blaspheme their Maker as they go. 6 O fearful thought! be timely wise ;

Delight but in a Saviour's charms;
And God shall take you to the skies,
Embrac'd in everlasting arms.

.

VII.
O LORD, I WILL PRAISE' THEE.--ISAIAH, xii.
I I WILL praise thee ev'ry day,

Now thine anger's turn'd away!

From the bleeding sacrifice. VOL. II.

2 Here in the fair gospel field,

Wells of free salvation yield
Streams of life, a plenteous store,

And my soul shall thirst no more. 3 Jesus is become at length

My salvation and my strength ;
And his praises shall prolong,

While I live, my pleasant song.
4 Praise ye, then, his glorious name,

Publish his exalted fame!
Still his worth your praise exceeds,

Excellent are all his deeds.
5 Raise again thy joyful sound,

Let the nations roll it round !
Zion shout, for this is he,
God the Saviour dwells in thee.

VIII.
THE CONTRITE HEART.--ISAIAH, Ivii. 15.

1 THE Lord will happiness divine

On contrite hearts bestow :
Then tell me, gracious God, is mine

A contrite heart or no ?
2 I hear, but seem to hear in vain,

Insensible as steel ;
If ought is felt, 'tis only pain,

To find I cannot feel.

3 I sometimes think myself inclin'd

To love thee, if I could ; But often feel another mind,

Averse to all that's good.
4 My best desires are faint and few,

I fain would strive for more ;
But when I cry, “ My strength renew,"

Seem weaker than before.
5 Thy saints are comforted I know,

And love thy house of pray'r; I therefore go where others go,

But find no comfort there. 6 Oh make this heart rejoice or ache ;

Decide this doubt for me ; And if it be not broken, break,

And heal it, if it be.

IX.

THE FUTURE PEACE AND GLORY OF THE CHURCH.

ISAIAH, Ix. 15--20.
I HEAR what God the LORD hath spoken,

Oh my people, faint and few ;
Comfortless, afflicted, broken,
Fair abodes I build for you:
Themes of heart-felt tribulation
Shall no more perplex your ways :
You shall name your walls, salvation,
And your gates shall all be praise.

2 There like streams that feed the garden,

Pleasures, without end, shall flow ;
For the Lord, your faith rewarding,
All his bounty shall bestow :
Still in undisturb'd possession,
Peace and righteousness shall reign;
Never shall you feel oppression,

Hear the voice of war again.
3 Ye no more your suns descending,

Waning moons no more shall see ; .
But your griefs, forever ending,
Find eternal noon in me :
God shall rise, and shining o'er you,
Change to day the gloom of night;
He, the Lord, shall be your glory,
God your everlasting light.

X. . JEHOVAH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.--JER. xxiii. 6. 1 MY God, how perfect are thy ways !

But mine polluted are ;
Sin twines itself about my praise,

And slides into my prayer.
2 I would speak what thou hast done
:. To save me from my sin,
I cannot make thy mercies known,

But self-applause creeps in. 3 Divine desire, that holy flame

· Thy grace creates in me ;

When it returns to thee. 4. This heart, a fountain of vile thoughts,

How does it overflow?
While self upon the surface floats,

Still bubbling from below. 5 Let others in the gaudy dress

Of fancied merit shine ;
The Lord shall be my righteousness,

The Lord forever mine.

• XI. EPHRAIM REPENTING.--LAM. XXXI. 18--20.

1 MY GOD, till I receiv'd thy stroke,

How like a beast was I;
So unaccustom’d to the yoke,

2 With grief my just reproach I bear,

How frequent my rebellions were !

What wickedness I wrought ! 3 Thy merciful restraint I scorn'd,

And left the pleasant road;
Yet turn me and I shall be turn'd,

Thou art the LORD my God. 4 Is Ephraim banish'd from my thoughts,

Or vile in my esteem!