8. Against Lying. O'Tis a lovely thing for youth To walk betimes in wisdom's way; To fear a lie, to speak the truth, That we may trust to all they say. But liars we can never trust, Though they should speak the thing And he that does one fault at first, Have we not known, nor heard, nor read, How God abhors deceit and wrong? How Ananias was struck dead, Caught with a lie upon his tongue? So did his wife Sapphira die, When she came in and grew so bold As to confirm that wicked lie Which just before her husband told. Then let me always watch my lips, 9. Praise to GOD for learning to read. THE praises of my tongue I offer to the Lord, That I was taught and learnt so young To read his holy word: That I am brought to know I can do nothing well; Dear Lord, this book of thine Here I can read and learn How Christ, the Son of God, And, now he reigns above, O may that spirit teach, And make my heart receive, Those truths which all thy servants preach, And all thy saints believe! Then shall I praise the Lord, That I was taught to read his word, LET dogs delight to bark and bite, But, children, you should never let Let love thro' all your actions run, His soul was gentle as a lamb; Now, Lord of all, he reigns above, 11. Solemn Thoughts on GOD and Death. THERE is a God that reigns above, Lord of the heav'ns and earth and seas; I fear his wrath, I ask his love, |