313. P. M. Aspirations after Habitual Devotion. 1. GOD of my life! and Author of my days! Permit my feeble voice to lisp thy praise; And, trembling, take upon a mortal tongue That hallow'd name to harps of seraphs sung. 2. Yet here the brightest seraphs could no more, Than veil their faces, tremble, and adore: Worms, angels, men, in every different sphere, Are equal all, for all are nothing here. 3. I feel that name my inmost thoughts control, 4. But soon, alas! this holy calm is broke; 5. But he, our gracious Father, kind as just, Knowing our frame, remembers man is dust; Marks the young dawn of every virtuous aim, And fans the smoaking flax into a flame. 6. His ear is open to the softest cry; His grace descends to meet the lifted eye; He reads the language of a silent tear, And sighs are incense from a heart sincere. 7. O God! from earthly bondage set me free; 8. When all is smiling, tranquil, and serene, 9. If friendless in a vale of tears I stray, Where briars wound, and thorns perplex my way, Still let my steady soul thy goodness see, And with strong confidence lay hold on thee; 10. With equal eye my various lot receive, Resign'd to die, or resolute to live; Prepar'd to kiss the sceptre, or the rod, While God is seen in all, and all in GOD. 11. In every creature may I own thy power; 12. Then when the last, the closing hour, draws near, And death's dread conflict raises nature's fear, Teach me to fix my humble hopes on high, And having liv'd to thee, in thee to die. REMARKS. To adapt the last Hymn (No. 313) to Public Worship, it may be begun at the 5th verse, thus; Our gracious Father, merciful as just, &c. and the 8th, 9th, and 10th verses may be omitted. In No. 43, the 2d and 3d verses may be omitted without injury to the connexion, a small alteration having been made in the 4th verse for that purpose. The original is, But in thy gospel see it shine, In No. 107 the 2d and 4th verses may be omitted. When No. 192 is used in Public Worship, it will be desirable to omit the 5th verse. For general use, it may be found best to begin No. 216 at the 4th verse, thus; There is forgiveness &c. No. 263 may be used in the common services, by employing the following lines as a beginning, When thus we meet, to learn the way Which Jesus shows to endless day, His love &c. No. 282 may be begun thus at the 3d verse; No. 312 may be employed in Public Worship, by beginning at the 2d verse, thus; What sinners prize, may I resign; &c. INDEX OF SUBJECTS. BOOK I. HYMNS OF PRAISE. §. 1. General Hymns of Praise. HYMN 1 THE one living and true God 5 Praise on earth and in heaven 6. 10 Universal praise 7 Praise to God from heaven and earth 11. 13 Solemn call to worship 12 Solemn adoration of Him who filleth all things 14 Eternal praise to God 15-19 The divine perfections celebrated §. 2. Praise founded on particular 20. 22 Man frail and God eternal 21 God incomprehensible 23 The immutability of God 24 The divine perfections unchangeable 28 Divine power 29 The greatness of God 30. 31 Divine power and grace 32. 33 Power and goodness of God HYMN 34 God the Creator of mankind 35 The mercy of God to frail man 36 Never-failing goodness of God 38 The shortness of life, and the goodness of God 42 The God of mercy adored 43 Divine love 44 God kind and merciful See also §. 3. 15. 16. §. 3. Praise respecting the Government 48 The universal providence of God 59 Praise to God the sovereign King 60 God's sovereign dominion 61 The hand of God acknowledged in war and peace 62 God the author of our comforts and hopes See also §. 2. 15. 16. and 24. |