The SACRIFICE of the Heart.

PSALM li. 17.

The sacrifices of God are a broken heart.

ERIG. 19.

NOR calves, nor bulls, are sacrifices good
Enough for thee, who gav'st for me thy blood,
And, more than that, thy life: take thine own part,
Great God, that gavest all: here, take mine heart.

ODE XIX.

1.

Thy former covenant of old,

Thy law of ordinances, did require
Fat sacrifices from the fold,

And many other off'rings made by fire.
Whilst thy first tabernacle stood,
All things were consecrate with blood.

2.

And can thy better covenant,

The law of grace and truth by Jesus Christ,
Its proper sacrifices want

For such an altar, and for such a priest?
No, no, thy gospel doth require

Choice off'rings too, and made by fire.

A sacrifice

CORDIS SACRIFICIUM.

Non Vituli cacive Deo placet Hosha Tauri, Cor mihi qui dedit, hic Cor sibi poscit Amor

The SACRIFICE of the HEART. God is not pleas'd with Calves or Bullocks slain: The Heart He gave, is all He asks again.

3.

A sacrifice for sin indeed,
Lord, thou didst make thyself and once for all
So that there never will be need
Of any more sin-off'rings, great or small.
The life-blood thou didst shed for me
Hath set my soul for ever free.

4.2

Yea, the same sacrifice thou dost Still offer in behalf of thine elect:

And, to improve it to the most, Thy word and sacraments do in effect Offer thee oft, and sacrifice Thee daily, in our ears and eyes.

5.

Yea, each believing soul may take
Thy sacrificed flesh and blood, by faith,
And threwith an atonement make
For all its trespasses: thy gospel saith,
Such infinite transcendent price
Is there in thy sweet sacrifice!

6.

But is this all? Must there not be

Peace-offerings, and sacrifices of

Thanksgiving, tender'd unto thee?

Yes, Lord, I know I should but mock, and scoff
Thy sacrifice for sin, should I

My sacrifice of praise deny.

But

7.

But I have nothing of mine own
Worthy to be presented in thy sight;

Yea, the whole world affords not one
Or ram, or lamb, wherein thou canst delight.
Less than myself it must not be :
For thou didst give thyself for me:

8.

Myself, then, I must sacrifice :
And so I will, mine heart, the only thing
Thou dost above all other prize

As thine own part, the best I have to bring.
An humble heart's a sacrifice,

Which I know thou wilt not despise.

9.

Lord, be my altar, sanctify

Mine heart thy sacrifice, and let thy Spirit
Kindle thy fire of love, that I,
Burning with zeal to magnify thy merit,
May both consume my sins, and raise
Eternal trophies to thy praise.

The