and to accommodate himself to the capacities of common readers. But it would not become me to make such a declaration. It behoved me to do my best. But though I would not offend readers of taste by a wilful coarseness and negligence, I do not write professedly for them. If the Lord, whom I serve, has been pleased to favour me with that mediocrity of talent, which may qualify me for usefulness to the weak and the poor of his flock, without quite disgusting persons of superior discernment, I have reason to be satisfied. As the workings of the heart of man, and of the Spirit of God, are in general the same in all who are the subjects of grace, I hope most of these Hymns, being the fruit and expression of my own experience, will coincide with the views of real christians of all denominations. But I cannot expect that every sentiment I have advanced will be universally approved. However, I am not conscious of having written a single line, with an intention either to flatter or to offend any party or person upon earth. I have simply declared my own views and feelings, as I might have done if I had composed Hymns in some of the newly-discovered islands in the South Sea, where no person had any knowledge of the name of Jesus but myself. I am a friend of peace; and being deeply convinced, that no one can profitably understand the great truths and doctrines of the gospel, any farther than he is taught of God, I have not a wish to obtrude my own tenets upon others, in a way of controversy: yet I do not think myself bound to conceal them. Many gracious persons (for many such I am persuaded there are,) who differ from me, more or less, in those points which are called Calvinistic, appear desirous that the Calvinists should, for their sakes, studiously avoid every expression which they cannot approve. Yet few of them. I believe, impose a like restraint upon themselves, but think the importance of what they deem to be truth, justifies them in speaking their sentiments plainly and strongly. May I not plead for an equal liberty? The views I have received of the doctrines of grace are essential to my peace; I could not live comfortably a day or an hour without them. I likewise believe, yea, so far as my poor attainments warrant me to speak, I know them to be friendly to holiness, and to have a direct influence in producing and maintaining a gospel-conversation; and therefore I must not be ashamed of them. The Hymns are distributed into three Books. In the first, I have classed those which are formed upon select passages of scripture, and placed them in the order of the books of the Old and New Testament. The second contains occasional Hymns, suited to particular seasons, or suggested by particular events or subjects. The third book is miscellaneous, comprising a variety of subjects relative to a life of faith in the Son of God, which have no express reference either to a single text of scripture, or to any determinate season or incident. These are farther subdivided into distinct heads. This arrangement is not so accurate, but that several of the Hymns might have been differently disposed. Some attention to method may be found convenient, though a logical exactness was hardly practicable. As some subjects in the several books are nearly coincident, I have, under the divisions in the third Book, pointed out those which are similar in the two former. And I have likewise, here and there, in the first and second, made a reference to Hymns of a like import in the third. This Publication, which, with my humble prayer to the Lord for his blessing upon it, I offer to the service and acceptance of all who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, of every name and in every place, into whose hands it may come, I more particularly dedicate to my dear friends in the parish and neighbourhood of Olney, for whose use the Hymns were originally composed; as a testimony of the sincere love I bear them, and as a token of my gratitude to the Lord, and to them, for the comfort and satisfaction with which the discharge of my ministry among them has been attended. The hour is approaching, and, at my time of life, cannot be very distant, when my heart, my pen, and my tongue, will no longer be able to move in their service. But I trust, while my heart continues to beat, it will feel a warm desire for the prosperity of their souls; and while my hand can write, and my tongue speak, it will be the business and the pleasure of my life, to aim at promoting their growth and establishment in the grace of our God and Saviour. To this precious grace I commend them, and earnestly entreat them, and all who love his name, to strive mightily with their prayers to God for me, that I may be preserved faithful to the end, and enabled at last to finish my course with joy. Olney, Bucks, Feb. 15th 1779. JOHN NEWTON. OLNEY HYMNS. BOOK I. ON SELECT PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE. HYMN I. 1 Ox man, in his own image made, 2 He dwelt in Eden's garden, stor’d 3 But oh! by sin how quickly chang'd! His honour forfeited, GENESIS. His heart from God and truth estrang'd, 4 Now from his Maker's voice he flees, 5 Compell'd to answer to his name, 6 But grace, unask'd, his heart subdu'd, 7 Thus we ourselves would justify, 8 But when, by faith, the sinner sees HYMN II. Cain and Abel. Chap. iv. 3-8. 5 Such was the wicked murd'rer Cain; 6 Like him, the way of grace we slight. HYMN III. Walking with God. Chap. v. 24. 1 OH! for a closer walk with God, 2 Where is the blessedness I knew, 3 What peaceful hours I once enjoyed! 4 Return, O holy Dove, return, Sweet messenger of rest; I hate the sins that made thee mourn, 5 The dearest idol I have known, Help me to tear it from thy throne, 6 So shall my walk be close with God, Calm and serene my frame; So purer light shall mark the road, HYMN IV. ANOTHER. C. 1 By faith in Christ I walk with God, 3 Though snares and dangers throng my path, 4 The wilderness affords no food, And frees my soul from wants and cares. 5 With him sweet converse I maintain, Great as he is, I dare be free; Tell him all my grief and pain, And he reveals his love to me. Some cordial from his word he brings, Whene'er my feeble spirit faints; At once my soul revives and sings, And yields no more to sad complaints. 7 I pity all that worldlings talk Of pleasures that will quickly end: HYMN V. Lot in Sodom. Chap. xiii. 10. 1 How hurtful was the choice of Lot, With them who fear'd not God! 3 Yet still he seem'd resolv'd to stay, Although their sins from day to day! 4 A while he stayed, with anxious mind, Expos'd to scorn and strife; At last he left his all behind, 5 In vain his sons-in-law he warn'd, 6 His wife escap'd a little way, 7 Yea, Lot himself could ling'ring stand, 8 The doom of Sodom will be ours, If to the earth we cleave: HYMN VI. Jehovah-Jireh; or, the Lord will provide. 1 THE saints should never be dismayed, 2 This Abram found-he rais'd the knife, 3 Once David seem'd Saul's certain prey; 4 When Jonah sunk beneath the wave, Psal. xxvii. 1, 2. 1 THOUGH troubles assail, The scripture assures us, 3 We may, like the ships, 4 His call we obey, 6 He tells us we're weak, 7 No strength of our own, 8 When life sinks apace, HYMN VIII. Esau. Chap. xxv. 34. Heb. xii. 16. 2 He stands as a warning to all, 5 Too often, dear Saviour, have I HYMN IX. Jacob's Ladder. Chap. xxviii. 12. 1 Ir the Lord our leader be, 2 Kings are often waking kept, 5 They who know the Saviour's name, HYMN X. My name is Jacob. Chap. xxxii. 27. 1 NAY, I cannot let thee go, Till a blessing thou bestow; Do not turn away thy face, Mine's an urgent pressing case. 2 Dost thou ask me who I am? Ah! my Lord, thou know'st my name; 3 Thou didst once a wretch behold, * 2 Cor. vi. 16. 4 Once a sinner near despair, Sought thy mercy-seat by prayer; Mercy heard and set him free; Lord that mercy came to me. 5 Many years have pass'd since then, Many changes I have seen, Yet have been upheld till now: Who could hold me up but thou? 6 Thou hast help'd in ev'ry need; This emboldens me to plead : After so much mercy past, Canst thou let me sink at last? 7 No-I must maintain my hold; 'Tis thy goodness makes me bold; I can no denial take, When I plead for Jesus' sake. HYMN XI. Plenty in the Time of Dearth. Chap. xli. 56. Like the dry ears and half-starv'd kine, 5 For he the time of dearth foresaw, 7 O sinners, hear his gracious call! HYMN XII. Joseph made known to his Brethren. 1 WHEN Joseph his brethren beheld |