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And may sweet sleep mine eyelids close-
Sleep, that may me more vig'rous make,
To serve my God, when I awake!

When in the night I sleepless lie,
My soul with heav'nly thoughts supply;
Let no ill dreams disturb my rest,
No pow'rs of darkness me molest!

Dull sleep-of sense me to deprive !—
I am but half my time alive!
Thy faithful lovers, Lord, are griev'd
To be so long of thee bereav'd.

But though sleep o'er my frailty reigns,
Let it not hold me long in chains;
And now and then let loose my heart,
Till it an hallelujah dart!

The faster sleep the senses binds,
The more unfetter'd are our minds;
O may my soul, from matter free,
Thy loveliness unclouded see!

O when shall I, in endless day,
For ever chase dark sleep away,
And hymns, with the supernal choir,
Incessant sing, and never tire?

May my blest guardian, while I sleep,
Close to my bed his vigils keep;
Divine love into me instil;

Stop all the avenues of ill;

Celestial joys to me rehearse,

And, thought to thought, with me converse;
Or, in my stead, all the night long,
Sing to my God a grateful song!

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heav'nly host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

A MIDNIGHT HYMN.

My God, now I from sleep awake,
The sole possession of me take;
From midnight-terrors me secure,

And guard my heart from thoughts impure!

Bless'd angels, while we silent lie,
You hallelujahs sing on high;
You joyful hymn the Ever-blest,
Before the throne, and never rest.

I with your choir celestial join,
In off'ring up a hymn divine;
With you in heav'n I hope to dwell,
And bid the night and world farewell.

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My soul, when I shake off this dust,
Lord, in thy arms I will entrust;
O make me thy peculiar care,
Some mansion for my soul prepare!

Give me a place at thy saints' feet,
Or some fall'n angel's vacant seat!
I'll strive to sing as loud as they
Who sit above in brighter day.

O may I always ready stand
With my lamp burning in my hand!
May I in sight of heav'n rejoice,
Whene'er I hear the Bridegroom's voice!

All praise to Thee, in light array'd,
Who light thy dwelling-place hast made!
A boundless ocean of bright beams
From thy All-glorious Godhead streams.

The sun, in its meridian height,
Is very darkness in thy sight;
My soul O lighten, and inflame,
With thought and love of thy Great Name!
Bless'd Jesu, thou, on heav'n intent,
Whole nights hast in devotion spent ;
But I, frail creature, soon am tir'd,
And all my zeal is soon expir'd!

My soul, how canst thou weary grow
Of antedating bliss below,

In sacred hymns, and heavenly love,
Which will eternal be above!

Shine on me, Lord! new life impart;
Fresh ardours kindle in my heart!-
One ray of thy all-quick'ning light
Dispels the sloth and clouds of night.
Lord! lest the tempter me surprise,
Watch over thine own sacrifice;
All loose, all idle thoughts cast out,
And make my very dreams devout!
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heav'nly host,

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Esaac Watts, D.D.

SUMMER EVENING.

How fine has the day been! how bright was the sun! How lovely and joyful the course that he run! Though he rose in a mist, when his race he begun, And there follow'd some droppings of rain:

But now,

the fair trav❜ller is come to the west, His rays are all gold, and his beauties are best; He paints the sky gay, as he sinks to his rest, And foretells a bright rising again.

Just such is the Christian :-his course he begins, Like the sun in a mist, while he mourns for his sins, And melts into tears;-then he breaks out and shines, And travels his heavenly way:

But, when he comes nearer to finish his race,

Like a fine setting sun, he looks richer in grace,
And gives a sure hope, at the end of his days,

Of rising in brighter array.

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