And makes a wretched thorn like me
Bloom as the myrtle or the rose.
4 Dear fountain of delight unknown !
No longer sink below the brim ;
But overflow, and pour me down
A living and life-giving stream !
5 For sure, of all the plants that share
The notice of thy Father s eye,
None proves less grateful to his care,
Or yields him meaner fruit than I.
62.
Love constraining to Obedience. C.
1 No strength of nature can suffice
To serve the Lord aright ;
And what she has she misapplies,
For want of clearer light.
2 How long beneath the law I lay
In bondage and distress !
I toil d the precept to obey,
But toil d without success.
3 Then to abstain from outward sin
Was more than I could do :
Now, if I feel its power within,
I feel I hate it too.
4 Then all my servile works were done
A righteousness to raise ;
Now freely chosen in the Son,
I freely choose his ways.
5 What shall I do, was then the word.
That I may worthier grow ?
What shall I render to the Lord ?
Is my inquiry now.
6 To see the law by Christ fulfiU d,
And hear his pard ning voice,
Changes a slave into a child,
And duty into choice.
