But, this thy strange work is; each day thy voice See where from jars of stone they pour the wine, Who from the fount but now with water came; Oh! is it not to prove by power divine, That Christ and God are one and still the same? Yes! He who said at first, "Let there be light," And light there was; who made the earth, the sea, The sun, the moon, the stars, the day and night, Sits at a marriage feast in Galilee ! He speaks, and it is done; the limpid wave Turned into wine, the mighty God displays; He who at first had made, now comes to save And bless, by turning sinners from their ways. Oh! let us ever seek his heavenly food, And ask for grace that we may more believe; Not water turned to wine, but wine to blood, He gives, through faith, his people to receive. No. 71. The New Birth. St. John, iii. 1-21. OH! what shall guide proud man aright? Athens and Rome shall ever tell These did each demon dark enshrine, Shall then repentance favour find? But knows not God that man is weak, And would he more obedience seek Than we can yield? and claims he here More than that each should be sincere ? Alas! 'tis thus that Satan blinds, Thus Satan still his prey deceives, What then shall save? Free grace alone, Grace that shall turn man's heart of stone; Grace that shall give a heavenly birth, And raise our thoughts from things of earth. They who shall reign above the skies, Must fill their hearts with thoughts of love, Oh! may the Holy Spirit's fire No. 72. The Well of Sychar. St. John, iv. 5-42. WHEN long by Syrian's suns opprest, Within some watery glade; Where the tall palm-tree rears its head, And light acacias softly shed An ever-pleasing shade. On Sychar's well, e'en thus alone Discourse ensued of heavenly things, E'er seek with eager haste. But who shall give?-the stranger said, 'Twas his on each believer's head That living stream to pour; To lead them to that pure well's brink, And who, then, could that stranger be? Could ever know; He read her thought, She said, when Christ should come, she knew And she believed, and through her word 'Tis thus, O Lord, thy kingdom grows, Fire kindles fire; as through the night Oh! may I thus thy grace receive, Salvation's living well. |