Songs XXV and XXVI
A Song of Praise for Grace O God of Grace, who hast restor'd Thine Image unto me, Which by my Sins was quite defac'd ; What shall I render Thee? Thine Image and Inscription, Lord, Upon my Heart I bear: Thine own I render unto Thee, O God, my God most dear. My self I owe thee for my self, Whom thou didst make of Earth; But thou hast made me o'er again, Thou gav'st a second Birth. Twice born, and twice endu'd with Life, I haste to come to thee, To pay my Vows, my Thanks, my Heart, With all Humility. . O, was I born first from Beneath! And then born from above! Am I Child of Man and God? O Rich and Endless Love! When I had broke the Tables, Lord, New Tables thou didst hew; And with thy Finger didst engrave Thy Laws on them anew. Earth is my Mother, Earth my Nurse, And Earth must be my Tomb: Yet God, the God of Heaven and Earth, My Father is become. Hell enter'd me, and into Hell I quickly should have run: But O! Kind Heav'n laid hold on me; Heav'n is in me begun. This Spark will rise into a Flame, This Seed into a Tree; My Songs shall rise, my Praises shall Loud Hallelujahs be. | A Song of Praise for Answer of Prayer What are the Heav'ns, O God of Heav'n! Thou art more bright, more high: What are bright Stars, and brighter Saints, To thy bright Majesty! Thou'rt far above the Songs of Heaven, Sung by thy Holy Ones; And dost thou stoop and bow thine Ear To a poor Sinner's Groans? God minds the Language of my Heart, My Groans and Sighs he hears; He hath a Book for my Request, A Bottle for my Tears. But did not my dear Saviour's Blood First wash away their Guilt; My Sighs would prove but empty Air, My Tears would all be spilt. Lord, thine Eternal Spirit was My Advocate within: But O, my Smoke join'd with thy Flame, My Pray'r was mixt with Sin. But then Christ was my Altar, and My Advocate above; His Blood did clear my Pray'r, and gain'd An Answer full of Love. It could not be that thou should'st hear A Mortal sinful Worm; But that my Prayers presented are In a most glorious Form. Christ's precious Hands took my Requests, And turn'd my Dross to Gold; His Blood put Warmth into my Prayers, Which were by Nature cold. Thou heard'st my Groans for Jesus Sake, Whom thou dost hear always; Lord, hear through that prevailing Name, My Voice of Joy and Praise. |