Page:Olney Hymns - 1840.djvu/264

260 1 THE book of nature open lies, With much instruction stored: But till the Lord anoints our eyes We cannot read a word.

2 Philosophers have pored in vain, And guess d from age to age ; For reason s eye could ne er attain To understand a page.

3 Though to each star they give a name, Its size and motions teach, The truths which all the stars proclaim Their wisdom cannot reach.

4 With skill to measure earth and sea, And weigh the subtile air, They cannot, Lord, discover thee Though present everywhere.

5 The knowledge of the saints excels The wisdom of the schools ; To them his secrets God reveals Though men account them fools.

6 To them the sun and stars on high, The flow rs that paint the field, And all the artless birds that fly, Divine instructions yield.

7 The creatures on their senses press, As witnesses to prove Their Saviour s power and faithfulness, His providence and love.

8 Thus may we study nature s book, To make us wise indeed! And pity those who only look At what they cannot read.