81.
The Book of Creation.
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.
