“I call the promises mine own,
And prize them more than mines of gold;
Yet, though their sweetness I have known,
They leave me unimpressed and cold. 
One hour upon the truth I feed;
The next, I know not what I read.

“I love the holy day of rest,
When Jesus meets his gathered saints: 
Sweet day, of all the week the best,
For its return my spirit pants;
Yet often, through my unbelief,
It proves a day of guilt and grief.

“While on my Saviour I rely,
I know my foes shall lose their aim;
And therefore dare their power defy,
Assured of conquest through his name;
But soon my confidence is slain,
And all my fears return again.

“Thus different powers within me strive,
And death and sin by turns prevail. 
I grieve, rejoice, decline, revive,
And victory hangs in doubtful scale;
But Jesus has his promise passed,
That grace shall overcome at last.”

_______________

FLESH AND SPIRIT.

“What different powers of grace and sin
Attend our mortal state: 
I hate the thoughts that work within,
Yet do the works I hate.

“Now I complain, and groan, and die,
While sin and Satan reign;
Now raise my songs of triumph high,
For grace prevails again.

“So darkness struggles with the light,
Till perfect day arise;
Water and fire maintain the fight,
Until the weaker dies.

“Thus will the flesh and spirit strive,
And vex and break my peace;
But I shall quit this mortal life,
And sin for ever cease.”

_______________

“Join all the names of love and power
That ever men or angels bore;
All are too mean to speak his worth,
Or set Emmanuel’s glory forth.

“But O, what condescending ways
He takes to teach his heavenly grace: 
Mine eyes, with joy and wonder, see
What forms of love he bears for me.

“The Angel of the covenant stands,
With his commission in his hands;
Sent from his Father’s milder throne,
To make his great salvation known.

“Great Prophet, let me bless thy name;
By thee the joyful tidings came,
Of wrath appeased and sins forgiven,
Of hell subdued, and peace with heaven.

“My bright Example, and my Guide,
I would be walking by thy side;
Oh, let me never run astray,
Nor follow the forbidden way.

“I love my Shepherd, he shall keep
My wandering soul among his sheep;
He feeds his flock, he tells their names,
And in his bosom bears the lambs.

“My Surety undertakes my cause,
Answering his Father’s broken laws: 
Behold my soul at freedom set,
My Surety paid the dreadful debt.

“Jesus, my great High-priest, has died,
I seek no sacrifice beside;
His blood did once for all atone,
And now it pleads before the throne.