2 They taste of all the joys that grow Upon this earthly clod, Well they may search the creature thro', For they have ne'er a God. 3 Shake off the thoughts of dying too, And think your life your own; But death comes hastening on to you To mow your glory down. 4 Yes, you must bow your stately head, Away your spirit flies, And no kind angel near your bed To bear it to the skies. 5 Go now, and boast of all your stores, And tell how bright you shine; Your heaps of glittering dust are yours, And my Redeemer's mine. Hymn 2:57. The pleasures of a good conscience. 1 Lord, how secure and bless'd are they Who feel the joys of pardon'd sin! Should storms of wrath shake earth and sea, Their minds have heaven and peace within. 2 The day glides sweetly o'er their heads, Made up of innocence and love; And soft and silent as the shades Their nightly minutes gently move. 3 [Quick as their thoughts their joys come on, But fly not half so fast away; Their souls are ever bright as noon, And calm as summer evenings be. 4 How oft they look to th' heavenly hills, Where groves of living pleasure grow! And longing hopes and cheerful smiles Sit undisturb'd upon their brow.] 5 They scorn to seek our golden toys, But spend the day and share the night In numbering o'er the richer joys That heaven prepares for their delight. 6 While wretched we, like worms and moles, Lie grovelling in the dust below: Almighty grace, renew our souls, And we'll aspire to glory too. Hymn 2:58 The shortness of life, and the goodness of God. 1 Time! what an empty vapour 'tis! And days how swift they are! Swift as an Indian arrow flies, Or like a shooting star. 2 [The present moments just appear, Then slide away in haste, That we can never say, "They're here," But only say, "They're past."] 3 [Our life is ever on the wing, And death is ever nigh; The moment when our lives begin We all begin to die.] 4 Yet, mighty God, our fleeting days Thy lasting favours share, Yet with the bounties of thy grace Thou load'st the rolling year. 5 'Tis sovereign mercy finds us food, And we are cloth d with love; While grace stands pointing out the road That leads our souls above. 6 His goodness runs an endless round; All glory to the Lord: His mercy never knows a bound, And be his Name ador'd! 7 Thus we begin the lasting song, And when we close our eyes, Let the next age thy praise prolong Till time and nature dies. Hymn 2:59. Paradise on earth. 1 Glory to God that walks the sky, And sends his blessings thro', That tells his saints of joys on high, And gives a taste below. 2 [Glory to God that stoops his throne That dust and worms may see't, And brings a glimpse of glory down Around his sacred feet. 3 When Christ, with all his graces crown'd, Sheds his kind beams abroad, 'Tis a young heaven on earthly ground, And glory in the bud. 4 A blooming paradise of joy In this wild desert springs; And every sense I straight employ On sweet celestial things.