6 Make me to walk in thy commands,
"Tis a delightful road;

Nor let my head, or heart, or hands,
Offend against my God.

510.

1

G

YOD, who in various methods told His mind and will to saints of old, Sent down his Son, with truth and grace, To teach us in these latter days.

2 Our nation reads the written word,
That book of life, that sure record:
The bright inheritance of heav'n
Is by the sweet conveyance given.
3 God's kindest thoughts are here express'd,
Able to make us wise and bless'd;
The doctrines are divinely true,
Fit for reproof, and comfort too.
4 Ye British Isles, who read his love,
In long epistles from above,

He hath not sent his sacred word
To every land, praise ye the Lord.

511.

L

The same. (C. M.)

ADEN with guilt, and full of fears,
I fly to thee, my Lord,

And not a glimpse of hope appears,
But in thy written word.

2 The volume of my Father's grace,
Does all my griefs assuage:

Here I behold my Saviour's face,

Almost ing

every page.

3 This is the field where hidden lies,
The pearl of price unknown;
That merchant is divinely wise,
Who makes the pearl his own.
4 Here consecrated water flows,
To quench my thirst of sin;
Here the fair tree of knowledge grows,
Nor danger dwells therein.

5 This is the Judge that ends the strife,
Where wit and reason fail;
My guide to everlasting life,
Through all this gloomy vale.

60 may thy counsels, mighty God,
My roving feet command;
Nor I forsake the happy road
That leads to thy right-hand.

THE CHURCH OF GOD.

512. The Beauty of the Church. (S. M.)

1.

2

3

AR as thy name is known,

FAR

The world declares thy praise;

Thy saints, O Lord, before thy throne,
Their songs of honour raise.

With joy let Judah stand

On Sion's chosen hill;

Proclaim the wonders of thy hand,

And counsels of thy will.

Let strangers walk around:

The city where we dwell,

Compass and view thine holy ground,

And mark the building well;

The worship of thy court,

The cheerful songs, the solemn vows;
And make a fair report.

5 How decent and how wise!
How glorious to behold!

Beyond the pomp that charms the eyes,
And rites adorn'd with gold.

6 The God we worship now,

Will guide us till we die,
Will be our God while here below,
And ours above the sky.

513. The Church the Birth-place of the Saints.

1

GOD

(L. M.)

OD in his early temple lays
Foundations for his heavenly praise:

He likes the tents of Jacob well,
But still in Zion loves to dwell.

2 His mercy visits every house,

That pay their night and morning vows;
But makes a more delightful stay,
Where churches meet to praise and pray.

3 What glories were describ'd of old!
What wonders are of Zion told!
Thou city of our God below,

Thy fame shall Tyre and Egypt know.
4 Egypt and Tyre, and Greek and Jew,
Shall there begin their lives anew:
Angels and men shall join to sing
The hill where living waters spring.

5 When God makes up his last account,
Of natives in his holy mount,
"Twill be an honour to appear

As one new-born or nourish'd there!

514. The Church is the Garden of God. (L. M.)
1 LORD, 'tis a pleasant thing to stand
In gardens planted by thine hand;

Let me within thy courts be seen,
Like a young cedar fresh and green.
2 There grow thy saints in faith and love,
Blest with thine influence from above:
Not Lebanon with all its trees,

Yields such a comely sight as these. 3 The plants of grace shall ever live; (Nature decays, but grace must thrive ;) Time, that doth all things else impair, Still makes them flourish strong and fair. 4 Laden with fruits of age, they shew The Lord is holy, just, and true; None that attend his gates shall find A God unfaithful or unkind.

515.

1

Going to Church. (C. M.)

1 HOW

WOW did my heart rejoice to hear
My friends devoutly say,

"In Zion let us all appear,

"And keep the solemn day!"

2 I love her gates, I love the road;
The church adorn'd with grace,
Stands like a palace built for God,
To show his milder face.

3 Up to her courts with joys unknown,
The holy tribes repair;

The Son of David holds his throne,
And sits in judgment there.

4 He hears our praises and complaints;
And while his awful voice
Divides the sinners from the saints,
We tremble and rejoice.

5 Peace be within this sacred place,
And joy a constant guest!
With holy gifts and heavenly grace,
Be her attendants blest!

6 My soul shall pray for Zion still,
While life or breath remains ;
There my best friends, my kindred dwell,
There God my Saviour reigns.

516.

The same. (P.M.)

[OW pleas'd and bless'd was I,

! HOW

To hear the people cry,

"Come, let us seek our God to day!"

Yes, with a cheerful zeal,

We haste to Zion's hill,

And there our vows and honours pay.

2 Zion, thrice happy place,

Adorn'd with wond'rous grace,

And walls of strength embrace thee round
In thee our tribes appear,

To pray, and praise, and hear
The sacred gospel's joyful sound.