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AGAINST PRIDE IN CLOTHES.

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, learn'd to sin.

When first she put her covering on,
Her robe of innocence was gone;
And yet her children vainly boast
In the sad marks of glory lost.

How proud we are! how fond to shew
Our clothes, and call them rich and new!
When the poor sheep and silkworm wore
That very clothing long before.

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.

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.

No more shall worms with me compare ;
This is the raiment angels wear;
The Son of God, when here below,
Put on this bless'd apparel too.

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.

In this on earth should I appear,
Then go to Heaven and wear it there;
God will approve it in his sight;
'Tis his own work, and his delight.

OBEDIENCE TO PARENTS.

LET children that would fear the Lord
Hear what their teachers say;

With reverence meet their parents' word,
And with delight obey.

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?

What heavy guilt upon him lies!
How cursed is his name!
The ravens shall pick out his eyes,
And eagles eat the same.

But those who worship God, and give
Their parents honour due,

Here on this earth they long shall live,
And live hereafter too.

THE CHILD'S COMPLAINT.

WHY should I love my sport so well,

So constant at my play;

And lose the thoughts of Heaven and hell, And then forget to pray?

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?

How senseless is my heart, and wild!

How vain are all my thoughts!

Pity the weakness of a child,

And pardon all my faults!

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.

A MORNING SONG.

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.

When from the chambers of the east

His morning race begins,

He never tires, nor stops to rest;

But round the world he shines.

So, like the sun, would I fulfil
The business of the day;
Begin my work betimes, and still
March on my heavenly way.

Give me, O Lord, thy early grace,
Nor let my soul complain
That the young morning of my days
Has all been spent in vain.

AN EVENING SONG.

AND now another day is gone,
I'll sing my Maker's praise;
My comforts every hour make known
His providence and grace.

But how my childhood runs to waste!
My sins, how great their sum!
Lord, give me pardon for the past,
And strength for days to come.

I lay my body down to sleep;
Let angels guard my head,

And through the hours of darkness keep
Their watch around my bed.

With cheerful heart I close my eyes,

Since thou wilt not remove;

And in the morning let me rise

Rejoicing in thy love.

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FOR THE LORD'S DAY MORNING.

THIS is the day when Christ arose

So early from the dead;

Why should I keep my eyelids clos'd,
And waste my hours in bed?

This is the day when Jesus broke
The power of death and hell;
And shall I still wear Satan's yoke,
And love my sins, so well!

To-day with pleasure Christians meet,

To pray and hear the word:
And I would go with cheerful feet
To learn thy will, O Lord!

I'll leave my sport, to read and pray,
And so prepare for Heaven:

O may I love this blessed day

The best of all the seven!

FOR THE LORD'S DAY EVENING.

LORD, how delightful 'tis to see

A whole assembly worship thee!

At once they sing, at once they pray;

They hear of Heaven, and learn the way.

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