Renunciation of the World

654
Old Things are passed away.

1 LET worldly minds the world pursue, It has no charms for me;

Once I admired its trifles too, But grace has set me free.

2 Its pleasures now no longer please, No more content afford;

Far from my heart be joys like these, Now I have seen the Lord.

3 As by the light of opening day The stars are all conceal'd; So earthly pleasures fade away, When Jesus is reveal'd.

4 Creatures no more divide my choice, I bid them all depart; His name, and love, and gracious voice, Have fix'd my roving heart.

6 Now, Lord, I would be Thine alone, And wholly live to Thee; But may I hope that Thou wilt own A worthless worm like me?

6 Yes! though of sinners I'm the worst, I cannot doubt Thy will; For if Thou hadst not loved me first, I had refused Thee still.

John Newton, 1779.

655
Renouncing the World

1 COME, my fond fluttering heart, Come, struggle to be free;

Thou and the world must part, However hard it be: My trembling spirit owns it just, But still lies cleaving to the dust.

2 Ye tempting sweets, forbear;

Ye dearest idols, fall; My love ye must not share, Jesus shall have it all:

Though painful and acute the smart, His love can heal the bleeding heart!

3 Ye fair, enchanting throng!

Ye golden dreams, adieu!

Earth has prevail'd too long, Too long I've cherish'd you:

Aid me, dear Saviour, set me free, My all I will resign to Thee.

4 Oh may I feel Thy worth, And let no idol dare, No vanity of earth, With Thee, my Lord, compare:

Now bid all earthly joys depart, And reign unrivall'd in my heart.

Jane Taylor, 1812, a.

656
Escaping from the Current of Sin

1 I SEND the joys of earth away, Away, ye tempters of the mind;

False as the smooth deceitful sea, And empty as the whistling wind.

2 Your streams were floating me along Down to the gulf of black despair; And whilst I listen'd to your song, Your streams had e'en convey'd me there

3 Lord, I adore Thy matchless grace, That warn'd me of that dark abyss, That drew me from those treacherous seas And bade me seek superior bliss.

4 Now to the shining realms above I stretch my hands, and glance my eyes;

Oh for the pinions of a dove, To bear me to the upper skies!

5 There from the bosom of my God, Oceans of endless pleasure roll;

There would I fix my last abode, And drown the sorrows of my soul.

Isaac Watts, 1709

657
Choosing the Pearl

1 YE glittering toys of earth, adieu, A nobler choice be mine; A real prize attracts my view, A treasure all divine.

2 Begone, unworthy of my cares, Ye specious baits of sense:

Inestimable worth appears, The pearl of price immense.

3 Jesus to multitudes unknown, Oh name divinely sweet!

Jesus, in Thee, in Thee alone, Wealth, honour, pleasure meet.

4 Should both the Indies at my call, Their boasted stores resign, With joy I would renounce them all, For leave to call Thee mine.

5 Should earth's vain treasures all depart, Of this dear gift possess'd, I'd clasp it to my joyful heart, And be for ever bless'd.

6 Dear Sovereign of my soul's desires, Thy love is bliss divine;

Accept the wish that love inspires, And bid me call Thee mine.

Anne Steele, 1760.