1 12. MAT. vi. 19-22. WITH grateful hearts, we own the share Of earthly blessings God hath given; Yet on our thoughts we still would bear, That our great treasure is in heaven. 2 Why should possessions of a day, Our hearts and thoughts so captive take? Treasures which soon must pass away, Or we ourselves must soon forsake! 3 Poor are the joys mere wealth can give, And can such joys the heart relieve, 4 Those treasures seek, which never fade, Those joys which reach and bless the soul; Joys which to ev'ry comfort add, and in the hour of death console. 5 Then is our full possession nigh, Then shall we all our treasure know; We rise to joys as heaven high, Unfading and unmix'd with woe. 73. MAT. vi. 25-33. 1 Do gathering clouds around you lour, Obscure each scene, and threaten woe; Or have you felt the thunder's power, And seen your pleasing hopes laid low? 2 O! lift your thoughts this world above, And let your troubled hearts be still; Behold in God a Father's love, A love, his humblest creatures feel. 3 The helpless birds which skim the air, 4 Behold the lilies how they grow! Were ne'er like one of them array'd. 5 Shall he who clothes with grace the flowers, 6 Seek first his kingdom's grace to share, And tread the path which leads to heaven: 7 The fury of the storm shall cease, And rest with dawning light shall come; 74. MAT. vii. 13. 1 TWO different roads before us lie, 2 Narrow the way which leads to life, And those who keep its onward course, 3 But broad the way which ends in death, 4 Yet thorns are mingled with the flowers, Ills rise on ills at ev'ry step, 5 The path of life becomes more plain New prospects rise of coming bliss, 6 Our Master grants his gracious aid, Till, with enraptur'd hearts, we see 7 O! may we choose this heavenly path, 75. MAT. vii. 16-27. 1 OBSERVE the trees; the fruits they bring, Are like the root from which they spring; So, by a holy life are known Those friends whom Jesus deigns to own. 2 Full many, too, may blossom fair, 3 Not every one who calls me Lord, 4 O! many in my day will claim 5 Like him who, on the tow'ring rock, 6 But he who hears, yet lives in guilt, 7 Change thou each corrupt heart, O Lord! 1 Thy servants may we wholly be; My 76. MAT. ix. 2. Y Saviour! let me hear thy voice pronounce the words of peace: A contrite rebel sues for grace, a captive seeks release. . 2 Then cheerful, where thy hand shall lead, the darkest path I'll tread; Cheerful I'll quit these mortal shores, 3 When dreadful guilt is done away, And he who grace dispenses now, 1 77. MAT. xi. 25, 26. FATHER! Lord of heaven and earth, Sov'reign, yet wise are all thy ways; Let trembling still chastise our mirth, With trembling ever let us praise. 2 The great, the wealthy, and the wise, 3 While on the poor that helpless sigh, 4 Even so it seemed good to Thee! |