[Page 17]

SONG XII.

The Advantages of early Religion.

I.
1 HAPPY the Child whose tender Years
2 Receive Instructions well:
3 Who hates the Sinner's Path, and fears
4 The Road that leads to Hell.
II.
5 When we devote our Youth to GOD,
6 'Tis pleasing in his Eyes;
7 A Flow'r, when offer'd in the Bud,
8 Is no vain Sacrifice.
[Page 18]
III.
9 'Tis easier Work if we begin
10 To fear the LORD betimes;
11 While Sinners that grow old in Sin
12 Are harden'd in their Crimes,
IV.
13 'Twill save us from a thousand Snares,
14 To mind Religion young;
15 Grace will preserve our following Years,
16 And make our Virtue strong.
V.
17 To thee, Almighty GOD, to thee,
18 Our Childhood we resign;
19 'Twill please us to look back and see
20 That our whole Lives were thine.
VI.
21 Let the sweet Work of Pray'r and Praise
22 Employ my youngest Breath;
23 Thus I'm prepar'd for longer Days,
24 Or fit for early Death.

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Title (in Source Edition): SONG XII. The Advantages of early Religion.
Author: Isaac Watts
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Genres: song

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Source edition

Watts, Isaac, 1674-1748. Divine songs: attempted in easy language for the use of children. By I. Watts, D.D. London: Printed for J. Buckland; J. F. and C. Rivington; T. Longman; W. Fenner; T. Field; and E. and C. Dilly, 1777, pp. 17-18. xii,58,[2]p.; 12⁰. (ESTC T185045; OTA K123515.000) (Page images digitized from a copy in the Bodleian Library [Vet. A5 f.3516].)

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