C. M.

Christian virtues; or, The difficulty of conversion.

Strait is the way, the door is strait,

That leads to joys on high;

'Tis but a few that find the gate,

While crowds mistake, and die.

Beloved self must be denied,

The mind and will renewed

Passion suppressed, and patience tried,

And vain desires subdued.

[Flesh is a dangerous foe to grace,

Where it prevails and rules;

Flesh must be humbled, pride abased,

Lest they destroy our souls.

The love of gold be banished hence,

That vile idolatry,

And every member, every sense,

in sweet subjection lie.]

The tongue, that most unruly power,

Requires a strong restraint;

We must be watchful every hour,

And pray, but never faint.

Lord, can a feeble, helpless worm

Fulfil a task so hard?

Thy grace must all my work perform,

And give the free reward.