Nor should we, with inactive mind, In humble faith, with watchful prayer, The Spirit, which gave Scripture birth, Or much of its divinest worth Dimly and darkly he must scan. But, open'd by that heavenly key, The eye its mysteries can see, The heart its truths can understand. PRAYER FOR HELP IN PRAYER. "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." -Romans, viii. 26. INTERCESSOR! thron'd on high, Dove-like, from on high, descend, And the shadow of thy wing O'er our suppliant spirits fling. Lend to our infirmities Living help, which grace supplies; Nor alone instruct us how Thy blest ministry fulfil, Thy unutterable groans Far transcend all mortal tones. Known to Him that searcheth hearts Every prayer thy aid imparts; Thought and speech of ours may err, Where our thoughts amiss would plead, For their errors intercede; And, where words of ours are vain, May Thy groans acceptance gain. HUMILITY AND FEAR EXPEDIENT. "Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear."-Romans, xi. 20. HAST thou, by heavenly grace benign, From the wild olive-tree, Been grafted on th' immortal Vine? Yet fearful, lowly be. Rememb'ring this-that He, who gave Thy honour'd station there, Must bid thy bough in greenness wave, Have others, native to the stem, Been broken off, as sere? Exult not proudly over them, Think not that He, who look'd for fruit Upon the native bough, Will, in his own engrafted shoot, Of barrenness allow. Thou wast there grafted to bring forth, To His eternal praise. By faith thou standest; and they fell Because of unbelief; If doubt or pride in thee should dwell, Thy date, like theirs, is brief. He, who the native branches smote, Though merciful, is just ; He thy unfruitfulness will note, And lay thee in the dust. |