4 This is the judge that ends the strife.
Where wit and reason fail,
My guide to everlasting life,
Through all this gloomy vale.

293

L. M.

The Holy Scriptures.

WATTS.

1 GOD, who in various methods told
His mind and will to saints of old,
Sent his own Son, with truth and grace,
To teach us in these latter days.

2 Our nation reads the written word-
That book of life, that sure record;
The bright inheritance of heaven
Is by the sweet conveyance given.

3 God's kindest thoughts are here expressed,
Able to make us wise and blessed;
The doctrines are divinely true,
Fit for reproof and comfort too.

294

L. M.

WATTS.

The Books of Nature and Scripture compared. Ps. 19.
1 THE heavens declare thy glory, Lord;
In every star thy wisdom shines;
But when our eyes behold thy word,
We read thy name in fairer lines.

2 The rolling sun, the changing light,

And nights and days, thy power confess; But the blest volume thou hast writ Reveals thy justice and thy grace.

3 Sun, moon, and stars, convey thy praise Round the whole earth, and never stand; So, when thy truth began its race,

It touched and glanced on every land. 4 Nor shall thy spreading gospel rest,

Till through the world thy truth has run,
Till Christ has all the nations blest,
That see the light or feel the sun.

5 Great Sun of righteousness, arise;
Bless the dark world with heavenly light;
Thy gospel makes the simple wise;
Thy laws are pure, thy judgments right.
6 Thy noblest wonders here we view,
In souls renewed and sins forgiven;
Lord, cleanse my sins, my soul renew,
And make thy word my guide to heaven.

295

C. M.

WATTS.

Nature and Scripture. Ps. 119.

1 LET all the heathen writers join
To form one perfect book,

Great God, if once compared with thine,
How mean their writings look!

2 Not the most perfect rules they gave
Could show one sin forgiven,
Nor lead a step beyond the grave;
But thine conduct to heaven.

3 I've seen an end of what we call
Perfection here below;

How short the powers of nature fall,
And can no farther go.

4 Our faith, and love, and every grace,
Fall far below thy word;
But perfect truth and righteousness
Dwell only with the Lord.

296

S. M.

WATTS.

The Book of Nature and Scripture. Ps. 19.

1 BEHOLD, the lofty sky

Declares its Maker God,

And all his starry works on high
Proclaim his power abroad.

2 The darkness and the light

Still keep their course the same, While night to day and day to night Divinely teach his name.

3 In every different land

Their general voice is known;
They show the wonders of his hand,
And orders of his throne.

4 Ye Christian lands, rejoice;
He here reveals his word:

We are not left to Nature's voice,
To bid us know the Lord.

5 His statutes and commands
Are set before our eyes;
He puts his gospel in our hands,
Where our salvation lies.

6 While of thy works I sing,
Thy glory to proclaim,

Accept the praise, my God, my King,
In my Redeemer's name.

297

C. M.

WATTS.

Instruction from Scripture. Ps. 119.

1 HOW shall the young secure their hearts,
And guard their lives from sin?
Thy word the choicest rules imparts,
To keep the conscience clean.

2 When once it enters to the mind,
It spreads such light abroad,
The meanest souls instruction find,
And raise their thoughts to God.

3 Tis, like the sun, a heavenly light,
That guides us all the day,

And, through the dangers of the night,
A lamp to lead our way.

4 The starry heavens thy rule obey;
The earth maintains her place;
And these thy servants, night and day,
Thy skill and power express.

5 But still thy law and gospel, Lord,
Have lessons more divine;

Not earth stands firmer than thy word,
Nor stars so nobly shine.

6 Thy word is everlasting truth;

How pure is every page!

That holy book shall guide our youth,
And well support our age.

244

Searching the Scriptures.

1 IMPOSTURE shrinks from light,
And dreads the curious eye;
But sacred truths the test invite ;
They bid us search and try.

2 O, may we still maintain

A meek, inquiring mind;

Assured we shall not search in vain,
But hidden treasures find.

3 With understanding blest,
Created to be free,

Our faith on man we dare not rest,
Subject to none but thee.

4 Lord, give the light we need;
With soundest knowledge fill;
From noxious error guard our creed,
From prejudice our will.

5 The truth thou shalt impart
May we with firmness own,
Abhorring each evasive art,
And fearing thee alone.

SCOTT.

WATTS.

Delight in Scripture. Ps. 119.

1 O, HOW I love thy holy law!
"Tis daily my delight;

And thence my meditations draw
Divine advice by night.