My sin-burthen'd soul with delight now he fills,
And meets me with pleasing surprise!

9. I own'd my defilement and wept like a child, And told him the whole of my grief;

He said, "I am thine," while on me he smil'd,
O! what a surprising relief!

10. Ye children of Zion, tho' this be your path,
And dark and distressing your way,
It never shall lead to the regions of death,
Whatever the tempter may say.

Nothing can supply the place of an absent Jesus in the bosom of a redeemed sinner. The above lines, written many years ago, were about to be committed to the fire, and certainly would have been, but for the interference of an old disciple of Jesus, who said, "don't destroy it, there. may be a blessing in it, in some future day, for some poor tempest-tossed soul," or words to that effect.

When Jesus withdraws, heart-searching work goes on; and we do not suppose that we possess quite so much faith as when he is present. Now the spiritual mariner binds close his sails, feeling already a swell, and he expects, very shortly, a heavy gale. Much toiling, and the loss of many

"These men

things, drive him to his wit's end: see the wonders of God in the deep." At last, yes, at last, he lets go the sheet anchor; this holds by the Rock, not in the sand; now he rides tolerably steady, but still wishes for the day. Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the vail. (HEB. VI. 19.)

74.

THE INTERNAL CONFLICT WITH CORRUPT NATURE AND THE POWERS OF DARKNESS.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.---Eph. vi. 13.

1. AWAKE, my silent muse awake,

And sing amidst the swelling flood;
Thy harp now from the willows take,
And sing the praise of Israel's God.

2. But, ah! how slow I run my race,
In painful darkness, miry clay?
Oft I forget my resting-place,
Without a heart to praise or pray.

And cry,

3. Within I feel a painful strife, "alas! what shall I do? "Are these the proofs of heav'nly life? "Is this the path God's children go!"

4. No promise seems to suit my case,
Too deeply sunk to be restor❜d;
No freedom at a throne of grace,
To utter one consistent word.

5. My mind confus'd, my soul beset
With legions of infernal foes;
Beneath my Saviour's rod I fret,
Seeking, but cannot find repose.

6. "Give up," saith Satan," cry no more, "He'll never hear thy sad complaints;

66

Thy case exceeds all mercy's pow'r, "He'll ne'er redress thy num'rous wants.

7. "Thy sins are great, thy faith is small, "Thou art a vile rebellious wretch; "As others have, so you may fall, "And not the land of promise reach.

8. "See what a holy, happy train,
"Are God's elect and chosen race;
"But you are foolish, light and vain,
"Nor ever felt, or knew his grace."

9. I stood awhile, and sighing, said,
"The evil that I fear'd is come!"
Till Jesus spoke, "be not afraid,
"I'll keep thee safe and guide thee home.

10.

"But tribulation thou shalt have,
"And often taste the bitter cup;
"To ascertain how I can save,
"And bear the feeblest member up.

11. "The fiery furnace I've prepar'd,
"To melt, and to consume thy dross;
"But, though old Adam struggle hard,
Thy inner man shall bless the cross.

12. "All creatures are at my command,
"As a refiner's fire I'll prove;
"And underneath will lay my hand,

My hand of faithfulness and love.

13. "When Satan's fiery darts are thrown, "Design'd to drive thee from thy God, "Thee, with peculiar smiles, I'll own, "And heal thy op'ning wounds with blood."

14. Enough, my God, let faith exclaim,
In thee alone I find repose;

I'll shelter in thy precious name,
Tho' sin and hell my way oppose!

en iyei a flowship, and

Wie 'n te mai dife to say, and that

a toes, mural darkness.—

ewal fue earth do right?]

བྱེད།། ༡མར་ས་སྟེ། མཐུག་ལང་ཚོ་སྤྱན་ vinessed. What then? Aadrm servers is le Texts the cold waters de aurived of us it in the promised