Divine Songs | Page 6

so young!?Grant me thy grace and teach me how?To tame and rule my tongue.
Song 19.?Against Swearing and Cursing, and taking God's Name in vain.
1 Angels that high in glory dwell?Adore thy Name, Almighty God!?And devils tremble down in hell?Beneath the terrors of thy rod.
2 And yet how wicked children dare?Abuse thy dreadful glorious Name!?And when they're angry, how they swear,?And curse their fellows, and blaspheme!
3 How will they stand before thy face,?Who treated thee with such disdain,?While thou shalt doom them to the place?Of everlasting fire and pain?
4 Then never shall one cooling drop?To quench their burning tongues be giv'n.?But I will praise thee here, and hope?Thus to employ my tongue in heav'n.
5 My heart shall be in pain to hear?Wretches affront the Lord above;?'Tis that great God whose power I fear,?That heavenly Father whom I love.
6 If my companions grow profane,?I'll leave their friendship when I hear?Young sinners take thy name in vain,?And learn to curse, and learn to swear.
Song 20.?Against Idleness and Mischief.
1 How doth the little busy bee?Improve each shining hour,?And gather honey all the day?From every opening flower!
2 How skilfully she builds her cell!?How neat she spreads the wax!?And labours hard to store it well?With the sweet food she makes.
3 In works of labour or of skill?I would be busy too:?For Satan finds some mischief still?For idle hands to do.
4 In books, or work, or healthful play?Let my first years be past,?That I may give for every day?Some good account at last.
Song 21.?Against evil Company.
1 Why should I join with those in play?In whom I've no delight;?Who curse and swear, but never play;?Who call ill names, and fight?
2 I hate to hear a wanton song:?Their words offend my ears:?I should not dare defile my tongue?With language such as theirs.
3 Away from fools I'll turn my eyes,?Nor with the scoffers go:?I would be walking with the wise,?That wiser I may grow.
4 From one rude boy, that's used to mock,?They learn the wicked jest:?One sickly sheep infects the flock,?And poisons all the rest.
5 My God, I hate to walk or dwell?With sinful children here:?Then let me not be sent to hell,?Where none but sinners are.
Song 22.?Against Pride in Clothes.
1 Why should our garments, made to hide?Our parents' shame, provoke our pride??The art of dress did ne'er begin?Till Eve our mother learnt to sin.
2 When first she put the covering on,?Her robe of innocence was gone;?And yet her children vainly boast?In the sad marks of glory lost.
3 How proud we are! how fond to shew?Our clothes, and call them rich and new,?When the poor sheep and silkworms wore?That very clothing long before!
4 The tulip and the butterfly?Appear in gayer coats than I:?Let me be dress'd fine as I will,?Flies, worms, and flowers exceed me still.
5 Then will I set my heart to find?Inward adornings of the mind:?Knowledge and virtue, truth and grace,?These are the robes of richest dress.
6 No more shall worms with me compare,?This is the raiment angels wear:?The Son of God, when here below,?Put on this blest apparel too.
6 It never fades, it ne'er grows old,?Nor fears the rain, nor moth, nor mould:?It takes no spot, but still refines;?The more `tis worn, the more it shines.
7 In this on earth would I appear,?Then go to heaven, and wear it there:?God will approve it in his sight;?'Tis his own work, and his delight.
Song 23.?Obedience to Parents.
1 Let children that would fear the Lord?Hear what their teachers say;?With reverence meet their parents' word,?And with delight obey.
2 Have you not heard what dreadful plagues?Are threaten'd by the Lord,?To him that breaks his father's law,?Or mocks his mother's word?
3 What heavy guilt upon him lies!?How cursed is his name!?The ravens shall pick out his eyes,?And eagles eat the same.
4 But those who worship God, and give?Their parents honour due,?Here on this earth they long shall live,?And live hereafter, too.
Song 24.?The Child's Complaint.
1 Why should I love my sports so well,?So constant at my play,?And lose the thoughts of heaven and hell,?And then forget to pray?
2 What do I read my Bible for,?But, Lord, to learn thy will??And shall I daily know thee more,?And less obey thee still?
3 How senseless is my heart, and wild!?How vain are all my thoughts!?Pity the weakness of a child,?And pardon all my faults.
4 Make me thy heavenly voice to hear,?And let me love to pray;?Since God will lend a gracious ear?To what a child can say.
Song 25.?A Morning Song.
1 My God, who makes the sun to know?His proper hour to rise;?And, to give light to all below,?Doth send him round the skies:
2 When from the chambers of the east?His morning race begins,?He never tires, nor stops to rest,?But round the world he shines.
3 So, like the sun, would I fulfil?The business of the day;?Begin my work betimes, and still?March on my heavenly way.
4 Give me, O