4 Let holy joy with fervent
Our souls for happiness prepare;
And all our steps be ordered right.
Lest we should quench thy Spirit's light.
5 O God, the very God of peace;
Each sacred, heavenly hope increase :
Fill us with light, and keep us thus
Till Jesus come in clouds for us.
99. Luke ix. 26. (Berwick.)
1 Jesus, and can it ever be
A mortal man ashamed of Thee?
Ashamed of Thee, whom angels praise,
Whose glories shine through endless days!
2 Ashamed of Jesus sooner far
Let evening blush to own a star :
He sheds the beams of light divine
O'er this benighted soul of mine!
3 Ashamed of Jesus! that dear friend
On whom my hopes of heaven depend!
No;-when I blush be this my shame
That I no more revere his name!
4 Ashamed of Jesus! yes, I may,
When I've no sins to wash away,
No tears to wipe, no joys to crave,
And no immortal soul to save.
5 Till then, nor is the boasting vain,
Till then I boast a Saviour slain !
And, oh, may this my glory be,
"Jesus is not ashamed of me."
100. GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY. (St. Matthew's.)
1 GOD moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perforin;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill,
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.
2 Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace:
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
3 His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His work in vain ;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
101. CONFESSION. (Rousseau's Dream.)
1 Like the wandering sheep we stray
From the true, the living way:
Oft we leave the path of duty,
Oft we leave thy will undone,
Nor regard the glorious beauty
Which is found in Christ alone.
2 In offences we abound
Health, nor life is in us found;
Vile and wretched are our spirits;
Righteousness in us is none;
Help us through the saving merits
Of thy well beloved Son.
3 Hear our broken spirits sigh,
Cast not out the sinner's cry;
Let thy Spirit's help restore us,
And inspire with peace and love;
Spread thy shield of mercy o'er us,
Fix our hearts on things above.
4 Sanctify us, Lord, within,
And preserve from every sin,
Till our souls made pure
Keep and love the heavenly road;
And to Thee devoted wholly,
Stand prepared to meet their God.
102. Proverbs vi. 21. 2. 3. (Byzantium.)
1 My God, thy saving precepts shine
In nature's darkest night;
They fill my soul with truth divine,
And lead me into light.
2 When threatening tempests hover o'er
My weak desponding heart,
Thy precepts bid me still adore,
And unbelief depart.
3 In times of long and deep distress;
In sickness, want, and woe,
Thy word unchanged to guide and bless,
Will inward peace bestow.
4 E'en should'st Thou, Lord, iny soul reprove,
Or smite me with thy rod,
The gracious chastisement I'll love,
It keeps me near my God.
5 O! be Thy word my constant friend,
Nor from my view depart;
Thy precepts round my neck suspend,
And bind them to my heart.
103. Jer. iii. 22. (Milton.)
1 RETURN! O wanderer return!
And seek an injured Father's face :
Those warm desires that in thee burn,
Were kindled by reclaiming grace.
2 Return! O wanderer return!
Unfold to God thy broken heart;
His pitying eyes thy grief discern,
His love can healing peace impart.
3 Return! O wanderer return,
And wipe away the falling tear!
'Tis God who says, "no longer mourn;"
'Tis mercy's voice invites thee near.
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