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4 In books, or work, or healthful play Let my first years be past, That I may give for every day Some good account at last.
Song 21.
_Against evil Company_.
1 Why should I join with those in play In whom I've no delight; Who curse and swear, but never play; Who call ill names, and fight?
2 I hate to hear a wanton song: Their words offend my ears: I should not dare defile my tongue With language such as theirs.
3 Away from fools I'll turn my eyes, Nor with the scoffers go: I would be walking with the wise, That wiser I may grow.
4 From one rude boy, that's used to mock, They learn the wicked jest: One sickly sheep infects the flock, And poisons all the rest.
5 My G.o.d, I hate to walk or dwell With sinful children here: Then let me not be sent to h.e.l.l, Where none but sinners are.
Song 22.
_Against Pride in Clothes_.
1 Why should our garments, made to hide Our parents' shame, provoke our pride?
The art of dress did ne'er begin Till Eve our mother learnt to sin.
2 When first she put the covering on, Her robe of innocence was gone; And yet her children vainly boast In the sad marks of glory lost.
3 How proud we are! how fond to shew Our clothes, and call them rich and new, When the poor sheep and silkworms wore That very clothing long before!
4 The tulip and the b.u.t.terfly Appear in gayer coats than I: Let me be dress'd fine as I will, Flies, worms, and flowers exceed me still.
5 Then will I set my heart to find Inward adornings of the mind: Knowledge and virtue, truth and grace, These are the robes of richest dress.
6 No more shall worms with me compare, This is the raiment angels wear: The Son of G.o.d, when here below, Put on this blest apparel too.
6 It never fades, it ne'er grows old, Nor fears the rain, nor moth, nor mould: It takes no spot, but still refines; The more `tis worn, the more it s.h.i.+nes.
7 In this on earth would I appear, Then go to heaven, and wear it there: G.o.d will approve it in his sight; 'Tis his own work, and his delight.
Song 23.
_Obedience to Parents_.
1 Let children that would fear the Lord Hear what their teachers say; With reverence meet their parents' word, And with delight obey.
2 Have you not heard what dreadful plagues Are threaten'd by the Lord, To him that breaks his father's law, Or mocks his mother's word?
3 What heavy guilt upon him lies!
How cursed is his name!
The ravens shall pick out his eyes, And eagles eat the same.
4 But those who wors.h.i.+p G.o.d, and give Their parents honour due, Here on this earth they long shall live, And live hereafter, too.
Song 24.
_The Child's Complaint_.
1 Why should I love my sports so well, So constant at my play, And lose the thoughts of heaven and h.e.l.l, And then forget to pray?
2 What do I read my Bible for, But, Lord, to learn thy will?
And shall I daily know thee more, And less obey thee still?
3 How senseless is my heart, and wild!
How vain are all my thoughts!
Pity the weakness of a child, And pardon all my faults.
4 Make me thy heavenly voice to hear, And let me love to pray; Since G.o.d will lend a gracious ear To what a child can say.
Song 25.
_A Morning Song_.
1 My G.o.d, who makes the sun to know His proper hour to rise; And, to give light to all below, Doth send him round the skies:
2 When from the chambers of the east His morning race begins, He never tires, nor stops to rest, But round the world he s.h.i.+nes.
3 So, like the sun, would I fulfil The business of the day; Begin my work betimes, and still March on my heavenly way.
4 Give me, O Lord, thy early grace, Nor let my soul complain That the young morning of my day Has all been spent in vain!
Song 26.
_An Evening Song_.
1 And now another day is gone, I'll sing my Maker's praise!
My comforts every hour make known His providence and grace.
2 But how my childhood runs to waste My sins how great their sum!
Lord, give me pardon for the past, And strength for days to come.
3 I lay my body down to sleep, Let angels guard my head; And, through the hours of darkness, keep Their watch around my head.
4 With cheerful heart I close mine eyes, Since thou wilt not remove; And in the morning let me rise Rejoicing in thy love.
Song 27.
_For the Lord's Day Morning_.
1 This is the day when Christ arose So early from the dead: Why should I my eyelids close, And waste my hours in bed?
2 This is the day when Jesus broke The powers of death and h.e.l.l; And shall I still wear Satan's yoke, And love my sins so well?
