213. 7s M. 5/

A Penitential Hymn.

1 GoD of mercy! God of love!
Hear our sad repentant songs;
Listen to thy suppliant race,
Thou to whom all grace belongs.
2 Deep regret for follies past,
Talents wasted, time mispent ;
Hearts debased by worldly cares,
Thankless for the blessings lent-
3 Foolish fears and fond desires,
Vain regrets for things as vain ;
Lips too seldom taught to praise,
Oft to murmur and complain-

4 These, and every secret fault,
Filled with grief and shame we own;
Humbled at thy feet we lie,
Seeking pardon from thy throne.

5 God of mercy! God of grace!
Hear our sad repentant songs;
O restore thy suppliant race,
Thou to whom our praise belongs!

214. L. M.

Supplication to the Searcher of Hearts.

1 SEARCHER of hearts! my thoughts review; With kind severity pursue

Through each disguise thy servant's mind,
Nor leave one stain of guilt behind.

2 What is my state? My soul awake,
Severest scrutiny to make;

Does no dark sign, no ground of fear,
In practice or in heart appear ?

3 What image does my spirit bear?
Is Jesus formed and living there?
Say, do his lineaments divine

In thought, and word, and action shine?

4 Searcher of hearts! O search me still; The secrets of my soul reveal :

My fears removed, let me appear

To God and my own conscience clear.

5 Scatter the clouds that o'er my head Their dubious gloom and terror spread; Lead me into celestial day,

And to myself, myself display.

215. C. M.

Inconstancy in the Christian Life lamented.

Hos. vi. 4

1 PERPETUAL Source of light and grace!
We hail thy sacred name;

Through every year's revolving round,
Thy goodness is the same.

2 On us, unworthy as we are,

Its wondrous mercy pours;
Sure as the heaven's established course,
And plenteous as the showers.

3 Inconstant service we repay,

And treacherous vows renew;

Which pass away as morning clouds,
And as the early dew.

4 Low at thy feet our guilt we mourn,
And ask thy constant grace,
To bear our feeble footsteps on,
In all thy righteous ways.

5 Armed with this energy divine,
Our souls shall constant prove,
And, with increasing transport, press
On to thy courts above.

6 So, by thy power, the morning sun
Pursues his radiant way,
Brightens each moment in his race,
And shines to perfect day.

1 PITY, dread Sovereign! and forgive;
Let a repenting rebel live:

Are not thy mercies large and free?
May not the contrite trust in thee?

2 My sins, though great, cannot surpass
The power and glory of thy grace;
Great God! thy nature hath no bound,
So let thy pardoning love be found.

3 O wash my soul from every stain,
Nor let the guilt I mourn, remain :
Here on my heart the burden lies,
And past offences pain mine eyes.

4 With shame my numerous sins I trace
Against thy law, against thy grace;

And though my prayer thou shouldst not hear, My doom is just,and thou art clear.

5 Yet save a penitent, O Lord!

1

2

Whose hope still hovering round thy word, Would light on some kind promise there, Some sure support against despair.

217. s. M.

Absence from God.

O THOU, whose mercy hears
Contrition's humble sigh;
Whose hand indulgent, wipes the tear
From sorrow's weeping eye!

See low before thy throne

A wretched wanderer mourn;

Hast thou not bid me seek thy face?
Hast thou not said,-Return?

3

Absent from thee, my light;

A

5

Without one cheering ray;

Through dangers, fears, and gloomy night,

How desolate my way!

On this benighted heart

With beams of mercy shine;

And let thy healing voice impart

A taste of joys divine.

Thy presence can bestow
Delights which never cloy :

Be this my solace here below,
And my eternal joy!

Hope in the divine Mercy.

1 WHEN rising from the bed of death,
O'erwhelmed with guilt and fear,
I see my Maker face to face,-
O how shall I appear!

2 If yet while pardon may be found,
And mercy may be sought,
My heart with inward horror shrinks,
And trembles at the thought:

3 When thou, O LORD! shalt stand disclosed
In majesty severe,
And sit in judgment on my soul, -
O how shall I appear!

4 Lord! let thy pardoning love arise
On my benighted soul!

Subdue my passions, touch my heart,
And all my fears control.

5 And may I taste thy richer grace
In that decisive hour,

When Christ to judgment shall descend,
And time shall be no more.

Prayer of the dejected Penitent. Ps. cxxx.
1 FROM depths of sadness and distress,
From gloomy mazes of despair,
Thy throne of mercy we address;
Deign, O our God! to hear our prayer :
O let thine ear indulge our grief,
For thine indulgence is relief!