708. Admiration of the Love of Christ. (L.M.)
HE fairest of ten thousand fairs,
Bends down his chariot from the skies; Infinite grace his way prepares,
Infinite love adorns his eyes.
2 O! 'tis a thought would melt a rock,
And make a heart of iron move,
That those sweet lips, that heavenly look,
Should seek and wish a mortal love!
3 When, as a traitor doom'd to fire,
I stood condemn'd to endless pains;
He flew on wings of strong desire,
Assum'd my guilt, and took my chains.
4 Did pity ever stoop so low,
Dress'd in divinity and blood?
Was ever rebel courted so,
In groans of an expiring God?
5 Now may my tongue in ceaseless praise,
Make known the wonders he hath done;
May all my heart admire his grace,
And all my life be his alone.
A happy Prospect. (C. M.)
LORD, when this mortal frame decays,
And ev'ry weakness dies:
Complete the wonders of thy grace,
And raise me to the skies.
2 Then shall my joyful pow'rs unite,
In more exalted lays,
And join the happy sons of light,
In everlasting praise.
Prayer and Hope. (P. M.)
ON of God! thy blessing grant,
Still supply my ev'ry want;
Tree of life, thine influence shed,
With thy fruit my spirit feed!
2 Tend'rest branch, alas! am I,
Wither without thee, and die:
Weak as helpless infancy-
O confirm my soul in thee.
3 Unsustain'd by thee I fall,
Send the strength for which I call!
Weaker than a bruised reed,
Help I every moment need.
4 All my hopes on thee depend,
Love me! save me to the end!
Give me the continuing grace,
Take the everlasting praise!
711. Christ our Wisdom, &c. (S. M.)
That hangs upon our eyes,
Till Christ with his reviving light,
O'er our dark souls arise!
2. Our guilty spirits dread
To meet the wrath of Heaven;
But, in his righteousness array'd,
We see our sins forgiv'n.
Unholy and impure,
Are all our thoughts and ways;
His hands infected nature cure,
With sanctifying grace.
2 Thy mis-spent moments past redeem ;
Each present day, thy last esteem:
Thy talents to improve take care;
For the great Judgment-day prepare.
3 In conversation be sincere ;
Keep conscience as the noon-tide clear: Think, how th' all-seeing God, thy ways, And all thy secret thoughts surveys. 4 Glory to Thee, who safe hast kept, And hast refresh'd me whilst I slept! Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake, of endless life partake!
5 Lord! I my vows to thee renew;
Disperse my sins, as morning dew;
Guard my first springs of thought and will,
And with thyself my spirit fill!
6 Direct, controul, suggest, this day,
All I design, or do, or say;
That all my powers, with all their might,
In thy sole glory may unite.
7 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures, here below:
Praise him above, angelic host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
1 AND can it be that I should gain
Died he for me, who caus'd his pain,
For me! who him to death pursu'd?
Amazing love! how can it be,
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
2 'Tis mystery all: the Immortal dies; Who can explore this strange design? In vain the first-born seraph tries,
To sound the depths of love divine;
"Tis mercy all! let earth adore;
Let angel-minds inquire no more.
3 He left his Father's throne above,
(So free, so infinite his grace!)
Emptied himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam's helpless race;
"Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For, O, my God, it found out me!
4 Long my imprison'd spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature's night:
Thine eye diffus'd a quick'ning ray;
I woke; the dungeon flam'd with light!
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and follow'd thee.
5 No condemnation now I dread ;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine:
Alive in him, my living Head,
And cloth'd in righteousness divine ; Bold I approach th' eternal throne, And claim the crown through Christ my own. 707. Praise and Confidence. (P.M.)
HIS God is the God we adore,
Our faithful, unchangeable friend ;
Whose love is as great as his power,
And never knows measure nor end:
2 "Tis Jesus the first and the last,
Whose Spirit shall guide us safe home;
We'll praise him for all that is past,
And trust him for all that's to come.
4 The powers of hell agree
To hold our souls in vain;
He sets the sons of bondage free,
And breaks the cursed chain.
Lord, we adore thy ways,
To bring us near to God,
Thy sov'reign power, thy healing grace,
And thine atoning blood.
OD of my life! thy constant care,
With blessings crowns the op'ning year;
This guilty life thou dost prolong,
And wake anew my annual song.
2 How many kindred souls are fled
To the vast regions of the dead,
Since from this day, the cheering sun
Through his last yearly period run!
2 We yet survive, but who can say,
Or through the year, or month, or day,
"I will retain this vital breath,"
Thus far, at least, in league with death.
4 That breath is thine, eternal God,
"Tis thine to fix my soul's abode;
-It holds its life from thee alone,
On earth, or in the world unknown.
5 To thee our spirits we resign,
Make them, and own them still as thine;
So shall they smile, secure from fear,
Though death should blast the rising year.
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