Its promises rejoice our hearts,
Its doctrines are divinely true;
Knowledge and pleasure it imparts,
It comforts and instructs us too.
Ye nations that possess this word,
Ye saints, that feel its saving power,
Unite your hearts to praise the Lord,
And his unbounded grace adore.
The Believer's desire to depart. Phil. i. 21. WHEN musing sorrow weeps the past, And mourns the present pain, How sweet to think of peace at last, And feel that death is gain.
'Tis not that murmuring thoughts arise,
And dread a father's will;
'Tis not that meek submission flies,
And will not suffer still.
It is that hope with ardour glows
To see him face to face;
;
Whose dying love not language knows
Sufficient art to trace.
It is that heaven-taught faith surveys
The paths to realms of light,
And longs with eagle's plumes to raise,
And lose herself in sight.
Oh, for a wide expanding flight,
From human ills to flee,
And rise, where thron'd in heav'nly light, My Saviour I shall see.
of faith that it might be by grace. Rom. iv. 16. GRACE is the sweetest sound
That ever reach'd our ears,
When conscience charg'd, and justice frown'd, 'Twas grace remov'd our fears.
Grace is a theme indeed,
A hope-inspiring theme; "Tis all we can desire or need, 'Tis more than fancy's dream. "Tis freedom to the slave, "Tis light and liberty;
It takes its terror from the grave; "Tis joy and victory.
Grace is a mine of wealth,
Laid open to the poor;
Grace is the sov'reign spring of health, "Tis life for evermore.
Of grace then let us sing,
A joyful, wondrous theme;
The God of grace is Israel's King,
And grace proceeds from him."
Rendered safe by his protection,
We shall pass the wat'ry waste;
Trusting to his wise direction,
We shall gain the port at last;
And with wonder
Think on toils and dangers past.
HYMN XCIII.
The same. Deut. xxxiii. 25.
-AFFLICTED saint, to Christ draw near,
Thy Saviour's gracious promise hear;
His faithful word declares to thee,
That as thy days, thy strength shall be.
Let not thy heart despond, and say,
How shall I stand the trying day?"
He has engaged by firm decree,
That as thy days, thy strength shall be.
Thy faith is weak, thy foes are strong;
And, if the conflict should be long,
Thy Lord will make the tempter flee;
For as thy days, thy strength shall be.
Should persecution rage and flame,
Still trust in thy Redeemer's name ;
In fiery trials thou shalt see,
That as thy days, thy strength shall be.
When thou art call'd to bear the cross,
Or sore affliction, pain, or loss,
Or deep distress, or poverty,—
Still as thy days, thy strength shall be.
When ghastly death appears in view,
Christ's presence shall thy fears subdue;
He comes to set thy spirit free,
And as thy days, thy strength shall be.
HYMN XCIV.
The same. Rom. viii. 35-37.
STEDFAST and sure our hope remains,
Within the vail our anchor lies;
Jesus, who wash'd us from our stains,
Shall bear us safely to the skies.
Strong in his strength, we boldly say,
For us Immanuel shed his blood;
Who then shall tear our shield away,
Or part us from the love of God?
Shall tribulation, or distress,
Or pain, or persecution's sword?
Shall Satan rob us of our peace,
Or prove too mighty for the Lord?
No, never! saints are kept secure
By Jesus' everlasting love;
Through him their victory is sure,
Which leads to certain joys above.
HYMN XCV.
Perseverance. Phil. iii. 14.
AWAKE, my soul, stretch ev'ry nerve,
And press with vigor on;
A heavenly race demands thy zeal,
And an immortal crown.
A cloud of witnesses around
Hold thee in full survey:
Forget the steps already trod,
And onward urge thy way.
"Tis God's all animating voice,
That calls thee from on high:
"Tis his own hand presents the prize
To thine aspiring eye.
Blest Saviour! introduc'd by thee,
We have our race begun;
And, crown'd with victory, at thy fect
We'll lay our honors down."
Meeting reproach for Christ.
AND art thou, gracious Master, gone,
A mansion to prepare for me?
Shall I behold thee on the throne,
And there for ever sit with thee?
Then let the world approve, or blame,
I'll triumph in thy gracious name.
Should I, to gain the world's applause,
Or to escape its harmless frown,
Refuse to countenance thy cause,
And make thy people's lot my own;
What shame would fill me in that day,
When thou thy glory wilt display.
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