Characters of the children of God. From several scriptures.

So new-born babes desire the breast,

To feed, and grow, and thrive;

So saints with joy the gospel taste,

And by the gospel live.

[With inward gust their heart approves

All that the word relates;

They love the men their Father loves,

And hate the works he hates.]

[Not all the flatt'ring baits on earth

Can make them slaves to lust;

They can't forget their heav'nly birth,

Nor grovel in the dust.

Not all the chains that tyrants use

Shall bind their souls to vice;

Faith, like a conqueror, can produce

A thousand victories.]

[Grace, like an uncorrupting seed,

Abides and reigns within;

Immortal principles forbid

The sons of God to sin.]

[Not by the terrors of a slave

Do they perform his will,

But with the noblest powers they have

His sweet commands fulfil.]

They find access at every hour

To God within the veil;

Hence they derive a quick'ning power,

And joys that never fail.

O happy souls! O glorious state

Of overflowing grace!

To dwell so near their Father's seat,

And see his lovely face!

Lord, I address thy heav'nly throne;

Call me a child of thine;

Send down the Spirit of thy Son

To form my heart divine.

There shed thy choicest loves abroad,

And make my comforts strong:

Then shall I say, "My Father God!"

With an unwav'ring tongue.