3 "The softest couch that nature knows "Can give the conscience no repose: "Look to my righteousness, and live; "Comfort and peace are mine to give.] 4 "Ye sons of pride that kindle coals "With your own hands to warm your souls, "Walk in the light of your own fire, "Enjoy the sparks that ye desire. 5 "This is your portion at my hands; "Hell waits you with her iron bands, "Ye shall lie down in sorrow there, "In death, in darkness, and despair." [1] Isaiah 1:10-11. [2] Isaiah 28:20. Hymn 2:155. Christ our passover. 1 Lo the destroying angel flies To Pharaoh's stubborn land: The pride and flower of Egypt dies By his vindictive hand. 2 He pass'd the tents of Jacob o'er, Nor pour'd the wrath divine; He saw the blood on every door, And bless'd the peaceful sign. 3 Thus th' appointed Lamb must bleed To break th' Egyptian yoke; Thus Israel is from bondage freed, And 'scapes the angel's stroke. 4 Lord, if my heart were sprinkled too With blood so rich as thine, Justice no longer would pursue This guilty soul of mine. 5 Jesus our passover was slain, And has at once procur'd Freedom from Satan's heavy chain, And God's avenging sword. Hymn 2:156. Presumption and despair; or, Satan's various temptations. 1 I hate the tempter and his charms, I hate his flattering breath; The serpent takes a thousand forms To cheat our souls to death. 2 He feeds our hopes with airy dreams, Or kills with slavish fear; And holds us still in wide extremes, Presumption, or despair. 3 Now he persuades, "How easy 'tis "To walk the road to heaven;" Anon he swells our sins, and cries, "They cannot be forgiven." 4 [He bids young sinners, "Yet forbear "To think of God or death; "For prayer and devotion are "But melancholy breath." 5 He tells the aged, "They must die, "And 'tis too late to pray; "In vain for mercy now they cry, "For they have lost their day."] 6 Thus he supports his cruel throne By mischief and deceit; And drags the sons of Adam down To darkness and the pit. 7 Almighty God, cut short his power, Let him in darkness dwell; And, that he vex the earth no more, Confine him down to hell. Hymn 2:157. The same. 1 Now Satan comes with dreadful roar, And threatens to destroy; He worries whom he can't devour With a malicious joy. 2 Ye sons of God, oppose his rage, Resist, and he'll be gone; Thus did our dearest Lord engage And vanquish him alone. 3 Now he appears almost divine Like innocence and love, But the old serpent lurks within When he assumes the dove. 4 Fly from the false deceiver's tongue, Ye Sons of Adam, fly; Our parents found the snare too strong, Nor should the children try. Hymn 2:158. Few saved; or, The almost Christian, the hypocrite, and apostate. 1 Broad is the road that leads to death, And thousands walk together there; But wisdom shews a narrower path, With here and there a traveller. 2 "Deny thyself, and take thy cross," Is the Redeemer's great command; Nature must count her gold but dross If she would gain this heavenly land.