Must all the charms of nature, then

Must all the charms of nature, then

Author: Isaac Watts
Published in 25 hymnals

Full Text

1 Must all the charms of nature, then,
So hopeless to salvation prove?
Can hell demand, can heaven condemn,
The man whom Jesus deigns to love?

2 The man who sought the ways of truth,
Paid friends and neighbors all their due;
A modest, sober, lovely youth,
And thought he wanted nothing new?

3 But mark the change: thus spake the Lord,
"Come, part with earth for heaven today,"
The youth, astonished at the word,
In silent sadness went his way.

4 Poor virtues, that he boasted so,
This test unable to endure,
Let Christ, and grace, and glory go,
To make his land and money sure!

5 Ah foolish choice of treasures here!
Ah fatal love of tempting gold!
Must this base world be bought so dear?
Are life and heav'n so cheaply sold!

6 In vain the charms of nature shine,
If this vile passion govern me;
Transform my soul, O love divine!
And make me part with all for thee.

The Hartford Selection of Hymns from the most approved authors, 1799

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Author: Isaac Watts

Isaac Watts was the son of a schoolmaster, and was born in Southampton, July 17, 1674. He is said to have shown remarkable precocity in childhood, beginning the study of Latin, in his fourth year, and writing respectable verses at the age of seven. At the age of sixteen, he went to London to study in the Academy of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, an Independent minister. In 1698, he became assistant minister of the Independent Church, Berry St., London. In 1702, he became pastor. In 1712, he accepted an invitation to visit Sir Thomas Abney, at his residence of Abney Park, and at Sir Thomas' pressing request, made it his home for the remainder of his life. It was a residence most favourable for his health, and for the prosecution of his literary… Go to person page >

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Text Information

First Line: Must all the charms of nature, then
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.8.8.8
Language: English
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Instances

Instances (25)TextImageAudioScore
A Choice Selection of Evangelical Hymns, from various authors: for the use of the English Evangelical Lutheran Church in New York #402Image
A Choice Selection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the use of Christians #261Image
A Collection of Hymns, More Particularly Designed for the Use of the West Society in Boston. (2nd ed. with Additions) #XLVIImage
A Selection of Hymns, adapted to the devotions of the closet, the family, and the social circle; and containing subjects appropriate to the monthly concerns of prayer for the success... #404Image
A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors.: including a great number of originals: intended to be an appendix to Dr. Watts's Psalms and Hymns. (Woodward's rev. and corr. ed.; Sterotype ed.) #520Image
Chapel Hymns #d348
Christian Psalms and Hymns to Aid in Public and Private Devotion #d579
Congregational Hymn and Tune Book; containing the Psalms and Hymns of the General Association of Connecticut, adapted to Suitable Tunes #1135
Hymns for Christian Melody #783Image
Hymns Selected from Dr. Watts, Dr. Doddridge and Various Other Writers #d131
Psalms and Hymns, for Christian Use and Worship #H216Image
Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts, The #I.23.2Text
Revival Hymns. 4th ed. #d72
Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors, intended to be an Appendix to Dr. Watts' Psalms and Hymns. (1st Am. ed.) #DXXImage
Supplement to Watts: a Selection of More than Five Hundred Hymns, from the Most Approved Authors on a Great Variety of Subjects ... #d270
The American Baptist Sabbath-School Hymn-Book #439Image
The Baptist Hymn Book: original and selected: in two parts #681Image
The Baptist Sabbath School Hymn Book #d256
The Hartford Selection of Hymns from the Most Approved Authors: to which are added a number never before published #CCLXVTextImage
The Hartford Selection of Hymns from the most approved authors to which are added, a number never before published. #265Image
The Hartford Selection of Hymns: from the most approved authors: to which are added a number never before published (2nd ed.) #CCLXVTextImage
The Lexington Collection: being a selection of hymns, and spiritual songs, from the best authors (3rd. ed., corr.) #137Image
The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #591TextImage
The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #1238Image
The Psalms of David ... New ed. #d137
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