L. M.

Sincerity proved and rewarded.

Lord, thou hast seen my soul sincere,

Hast made thy truth and love appear;

Before mine eyes I set thy laws,

And thou hast owned my righteous cause.

Since I have learned thy holy ways,

I've walked upright before thy face;

Or if my feet did e'er depart,

'Twas never with a wicked heart.

What sore temptations broke my rest!

What wars and strugglings in my breast!

But through thy grace, that reigns within,

I guard against my darling sin:

That sin which close besets me still,

That works and strives against my will:

When shall thy Spirit's sovereign power

Destroy it, that it rise no more?

[With an impartial hand, the Lord

Deals out to mortals their reward;

The kind and faithful souls shall find

A God as faithful and as kind.

The just and pure shall ever say,

Thou art more pure, more just than they;

And men that love revenge shall know

God hath an arm of vengeance too.]