8 Break through the clouds, dear Lord, and shine! REVELATION. CXXXVI. Ephesus. Chap. ii. 1—7. 1 THUS saith the Lord to Ephesus, Thy works to me are fully known, 3 Yet I must blame, while I approve; "When thou wast fill'd with joy and praise; 66 'Repent, thy former works renew, "Then I'll restore thy comforts too. 5" Return at once, when I reprove, CXXXVII. Smyrna. Chap. ii. 8—11. 1 THE message first to Smyrna sent, To all the Saviour's flock is meant, 2 Thus to his church, his chosen bride, 3" Thy works and sorrow well I know, "Perform'd and borne for me; "Poor though thou art, despis'd and low, "Yet who is rich like thee? 4 "I know thy foes, and what they say, "How long they have blasphem'd; "The synagogue of Satan they, Though they would Jews be deem'd. your lot, "I am your Friend, and I engage "You shall not be forgot. 6 "Be faithful unto death, nor fear "A few short days of strife; "Behold! the prize you soon shall wear, "A crown of endless life!" 7 Hear what the Holy Spirit saith Of all who overcome; "They shall escape the second death, "The sinner's awful doom!" CXXXVIII. C. Sardis. Chap. iii. 1-6. 1 "WRITE to Sardis," saith the Lord, "And write what he declares, 66 "He whose Spirit, and whose word, Upholds the seven stars : "All thy works and ways I search, "Find thy zeal and love decay'd; "Thou art call'd a living church, "But thou art cold and dead. 2" Watch, remember, seek, and strive, "Exert thy former pains: "Let thy timely care revive, "And strengthen what remains: "Cleanse thine heart, thy works amend, "Former times to mind recall, "Lest my sudden stroke descend, "And smite thee once for all. 3" Yet I number now in thee "When in judgement I appear, They for mine shall be confest; "Let my faithful servants hear, "And woe be to the rest." CXXXIX. Philadelphia. Chap. iii. 7—13. 1 THUS saith the holy One and true, 66 approve, Though small thy strength, sincere thy love; "Go on, my word and name to own, "For none shall rob thee of thy crown. 3 "Before thee see my mercy's door 4 "Thou hast my promise, hold it fast, 5 "A pillar there, no more to move, 6 Such is the conqueror's reward, CXL. Laodicea. Chap. iii. 14 20. 1 HEAR what the Lord, the great Amen, 2 To some he speaks as once of old, "I know thee, thy profession's vain; "Since thou art neither hot nor cold, "I'll spit thee from me with disdain. 3 "Thou boastest I am wise and rich, "Increas'd in goods, and nothing need;' "And dost not know thou art a wretch, 66 Naked, and poor, and blind, and dead. 4 Yet while I thus rebuke, I love, "My message is in mercy sent; "That thou may'st my compassion prove, "I can forgive, if thou repent. 5 "Would'st thou be truly rich and wise? Come, buy my gold in fire well try'd, 66 My ointment to anoint thine eyes, My robe thy nakedness to hide. 6 "See at thy door I stand and knock! "Poor sinner, shall I wait in vain? Quickly thy stubborn heart unlock, "That I may enter with my train. 7 "Thou canst not entertain a king, CXLI. The Little Book. Chap. x. 1 WHEN the belov'd disciple took Which by the Lord's command he eat, 2 Thus when the Gospel is embrac'd, • Book III. Hymn 27. |