Then will I read and pray,

While I have Life and Breath; Left I should be cut off to-day, And fent to eternal Death.

SONG XII.

The Advantage of Early Religion.

HAPPY the Child whofe tender Years Receive inftructions well:

Who hates the Sinner's Path, and fears The Road that leads to Hell.

When we devote our Youth to God, 'Tis pleafing in his Eyes;

A flower, when offer'd in the Bud,
Is no vain facrifice.

"Tis eafier Work if we begin
To fear the LORD betimes;

While Sinners that grow old in Sin
Are harden'd in their Crimes.

Twill fave us from a thousand Snares,
To mind religion young:
Grace will preserve our following Years,
And make our virtue ftrong.

To thee, Almighty GoD, to thee,
Our Childhood we refign;
"Twill please us to look back and fee
That our whole Lives were thine.

Let the fweet Work of Pray'r and Praise
Employ my youngest Breath:
Thus I'm prepar'd for longer Days,
Or fit for early Death.

SONG XIII.

The danger of Delay.

WHY fhould I fay, ""Tis yet too foon, To feck for Heav'n, or think of

Death?"

A flower may fade before 'tis Noon, And I this Day may lofe my Breath. If this rebellious Heart of mine Defpife the gracious Calls of Heav'n, may be harden'd in my Sin, And never have Repentance giv'n!

I

What if the LORD grow wrath and swear
While I refufe to read and pray,
That he'll refuse to lend an Ear
To all my Groans another day?
What if his dreadful Anger burn,
While I refufe his offer'd Grace,

And all his love to fury turn,
And strike me dead upon the Place.
Tis dang'rous to provoke a GOD!
His Pow'r and vengeance none can tell;
One ftroke of his Almighty Rod

Shall fend young Sinners quick to Hell.

Then 'twill for ever be in vain.
To cry for Pardon and for Grace ;
To wish I had my Time again
Or hope to fee my Maker's Face.

SONG XIV.

Examples of early Piety.

WHAT blefs'd Examples do I find
Writ in the Word of Truth,
Of Children that began to mind
Religion in their Youth:

JESUS, who reigns above the Sky,
And keeps the World in Awe,
Was once a child as young as I,
And kept his Father's Law.

At twelve Years old he talk'd with Men,
(The Jews all wond'ring stand)
Yet he obey'd his Mother then,
And came at her command.

Children a fweet hofanna fung,

And bleft their Saviour's Name: They gave him Honour with their Tongue,

While Scribes and Priests blafpheme.

Samuel, the Child, was wean'd and brought

To wait upon the LORD;
Young Timothy betimes was taught
To know his holy Word.

Then why fhould I fo long delay

What others learnt fo foon?

I would not pass another Day
Without this Work begun.