4 The powers of hell agree
To hold our souls in vain ;
He sets the sons of bondage free,
And breaks the cursed chain.

5

Lord, we adore thy ways,

To bring us near to God,

Thy sov'reign power, thy healing grace,
And thine atoning blood.

712

1

G

On the New Year. (L. M.)

YOD 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!
3 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.

713.

The Lord's Supper. (C.M.)

1 WHEN Christ our Lord a table spreads,

And heav'nly food prepares;

Shall we, unmindful of his love,
Prefer our earthly cares?

2 Let vain pursuits, and vain desires,
Be banish'd from the heart;
The Saviour's love fill ev'ry breast,
And light and life impart.

3 He knew how frail our nature is,
Our souls how apt to stray;
How much we need his gracious help,
To keep us in the way.

4 For these kind pledges of his love,
His mercy did ordain,

To bring refreshment to our souls,
And faith and hope sustain.

5 Since such his condescending grace,
Let us with hearts sincere,
Obedient to his holy will,

His table now draw near.

6 And while we join to celebrate
The suff'rings of our Lord,

May we receive new strength and pow'r,
T'obey his holy word.

714. On Opening a Place of Worship.* (C. M.) 1 WILL God in very deed descend,

And dwell with men below?

An ear to mortal worship lend,

To us his glory show?

* Sung at the opening of Ranelagh Chapel, 1818.

2 While heav'n's exalted spheres resound,
With hymns which angels sing;
Will God in mercy so abound,

T accept the praise we bring?
3 Permitted in thy courts to meet,
Thy presence we implore;
Smile on us from thy mercy-seat,
And we desire no more!

4 Here let thy gospel be declar'd,-
Here make thy power be known;
May every heart by grace prepar'd,
Be the Redeemer's throne.

5 May multitudes thy truth receive,
Made to salvation wise:-
"Behold the Lamb,"- on him believe!
And find the heav'nly prize.

6 Here make thyself a glorious name,
And form us for thy praise;

Thy promis'd presence, Lord, we claim,
And supplicate thy grace!

715.

I

To be Sung before Sermon.,

WILL arise and go to my Father, and will say unto him; Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

ORD of all power and might, thou that art

the author and giver of all good things; graft in our hearts the love of thy name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great mercy, keep us in the same, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

716.

1

SWE

Invitation to Christ. (P.M.)

WEET as the shepherd's tuneful reed, From Sion's mount I heard the sound; Gay sprang the flow'rets of the mead,

And gladden'd nature smil'd around.
The voice of peace salutes mine ear;
Christ's lovely voice perfumes the air.
2 Peace, troubled soul, whose plaintive moan
Hath taught these rocks the note of woe;
Cease thy complaint, suppress thy groan,
And let thy tears forget to flow.
Behold, the precious balm is found,
Which lulls thy pain, which heals thy wound.
3 Come, freely come, by sin opprest,
Unburthen here the weighty load;
Here find thy refuge, and thy rest,
Safe on the bosom of thy God.
Thy God's thy Saviour, glorious word!
That sheaths th' avenger's glitt'ring sword.
4 As spring the winter, day the night,

Peace sorrow's gloom shall chase away;
And smiling joy, a seraph bright,

Shall 'tend thy steps, and near thee stay,
Whilst glory weaves th' immortal crown,
And waits to claim thee for her own.

1

DOXOLOGIES AND DISMISSIONS.

717.

(L. M.)

O God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, three in one,
Be honour, praise, and glory giv'n,
By all on earth, and all in heav'n.

YE angels round the throne,

And saints that dwell below,

Worship the Father, love the Son,
And bless the Spirit too.

DI

ISMISS us with thy blessing, Lord;
Make us to feed upon thy word:

Our faith confirm; our sins forgive,
And let thy truth within us live.

2 Though we are guilty, thou art good;
Wash all our works in Jesu's blood:
Give ev'ry, fetter'd soul release,
And bid us all depart in peace.

I

FATH

ATHER, before we hence depart,
Send thy good Spirit down:

Let him reside in ev'ry heart,

And bless the seed that's sown.