L.M.

162 Behold I create new heavens and a new earth.

I

Isaiah lxv. 17.

LORD, in perfect bliss above

Thou couldst not need created love;
And yet Thou didst Thy power display,
And earth's foundations firmly lay.

2 Things that were not, at Thy command,
In perfect form before Thee stand,
And all to their Creator raise

A wondrous harmony of praise.

3 But even while the world came forth
In all the beauty of its birth,

In Thy deep thought Thou didst behold
Another world of nobler mould.

4 For Thou didst will that Christ should frame
A new creation by His Name;
Its seed, the living word of grace,
He scatters wide in every place ;

5 Its home, when time shall be no more.
In heaven with Thee for evermore ;
Accepted in Thy boundless love,
To share His throne and joy above.

6 O Father, bless, for they are Thine,
O Son, direct in love divine,
O Holy Ghost, with grace endue
The old creation and the new.

Amen.

HIS WORKS: PROVIDENCE.

L.M.

COWPER.

163 All things come of Thee.-1 Chron. xxix. 14.

I

A1

LMIGHTY King, whose wondrous hand
Supports the weight of sea and land,
Whose grace is such a boundless store,
No heart in vain shall sigh for more;

2 Thy providence supplies my food,
And 'tis Thy blessing makes it good;
My soul is nourished by Thy word;
Let soul and body praise the Lord.

3 My streams of outward comfort came
From Him who built this earthly frame;
Whate'er I need His bounty gives,
By whom my soul for ever lives.

4 Either His hand preserves from pain,
Or, if I suffer, heals again;

From Satan's malice shields my breast,
Or overrules it for the best.

5 Forgive the song that falls so low
Beneath the gratitude I owe;

It means Thy praise, however poor ;
An angel's song can do no more.

164

I

C.M.

Another book......the book of life.

Revelation xx. 12.

ET the whole race of creatures lie

Abased before the Lord;

WATTS.*

Whate'er His sovereign voice has formed,
He governs with a word.

2 Ten thousand ages ere the skies
Were into motion brought,

All the long years and worlds to come
Stood present to His thought.

3 If light attend the course I run,
'Tis He provides those rays,

And 'tis His hand that hides my sun,
If darkness cloud my days.

4 Yet would I not be much concerned,
Nor vainly long to see

5

The volume of His deep decrees,
What months are writ for me.

When He reveals the book of life,
O may I read my name

Amongst the chosen of His love,
The followers of the Lamb.

C.M.

COWPER.

165 Thy footsteps are not known.—Ps. lxxvii. 19.

He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

2 Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill,

He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.

3 Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take ;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

4 Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning Providence
He hides a smiling face.

5 His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

6 Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His work in vain ;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

L.M.

166 What I do thou knowest not now.

I

John xiii. 7.

WATTS.*

The obscure abyss of Providence,
Too deep to sound with mortal lines,

Too dark to view with feeble sense.

2 Now, Thou array'st Thine awful face
In angry frowns, without a smile;
We, through the cloud, believe Thy grace,
Secure of Thy compassion still.

3 Through seas and storms of deep distress
We sail by faith, and not by sight;

Faith guides us in the wilderness
Through all the briars and the night.

4 Dear Father, if Thy lifted rod
Be raised to scourge us here below,
Still we must lean upon our God,

167

I

Thine arm shall bear us safely through.

HIG

IGH in the heavens, eternal God,
Thy goodness in full glory shines;
Thy truth shall break through every cloud
That veils and darkens Thy designs.

2 For ever firm Thy justice stands,

As mountains their foundations keep;
Wise are the wonders of Thy hands;

Thy judgments are a mighty deep.

3 My God! how excellent Thy grace, Whence all our hope and comfort springs ! The sons of Adam in distress

Fly to the shadow of Thy wings.

4 Life, like a fountain rich and free,

Springs from the presence of the Lord;
And in Thy light our souls shall see
The glories promised in Thy word.

168

I

L.M. Six lines.

Psalm lxviii.

HARRIET AUBER.

EHOVAH! great and awful name !
Which none besides may dare to claim,
In earth beneath, in heaven above,
Thou reign'st, a God of power and love;
To Thee our grateful hearts we raise,
In notes of joy, in songs of praise.