Is closer drawn at each communion; | By love inspir'd, we know thy mind, (merit, And, feeding on thy death and Are render'd one with thee in spirit.

rish'd,

5. Lord, by thy flesh the soul is nourish'd, (vive; When faint, thy blood doth us reAnd while our faith thereby is che(strive: To serve thee and thy house we We, by this food invigorated, Are to good works anew created. 6. While thus thou feed'st the poor and needy, (whole; Life from thy death pervades the And the true members of thy body; In thee, their Head, one heart and soul, (ficed, For whom one bread and cup sufInto one spirit are baptized.

7. Thy flesh to us a pledge is given, That ev'n our flesh, corrupt and vile, (heaven, Shall from the dust be rais'd to And with unfading glories smile, And soul and body be for ever At home with thee, our Lord and Saviour.

8. O what a striking exhibition
Of love divine; what heavenly food!
Our hungry souls in this fruition
Find here on earth their highest
good:

It proves, amidst all tribulation,
Of heavenly bliss the anticipation.

770.*

T. 205. HAPPY race of witnesses, Whom God's Spirit doth ordain To make known- what God hath

Ye can only victory gain (done; By that sacred covenant-blood, Which the fathers, bold in God, That the slayer might pass o'er. Wrote in faith on every door,

2. Israel's seed-from slavery freed, Eat with joy their Paschal lamb; But the bride-of Christ who died

Her from bondage to redeem, Hath another passover; There the shadow, substance here; She enjoys the flesh and blood Of the slaughter'd Lamb of God.

Met in our Redeemer's name, Who for us-died on the cross,

Bearing our reproach and shame: 'Fore the Father, 'fore the Son, And the Spirit, Three in One, With the countless heavenly host, And the assembly of the just. 4. Ere we taste-the rich repast, Which he offers graciously, On our food, his flesh and blood,

Feasting in the sanctuary; Ere the sacrament to enjoy, We with awe to him draw nigh: We in love and fellowship This communion love-feast keep. 5. Eat and rest-at this great feast, Then to serve him freely go, As it is for pilgrims fit,

As disciples ought to do: We, when Jesus we shall see Coming in his majesty, Shall the marriage-supper share, If we his true followers are.

6. Then will be—of ransom'd souls

An innumerable throng; Lamb once slain-to thee pertain Thanks and praise, will be their Hallelujah will they cry, Singing in sweet harmony, 'Midst all trials we o'ercame Only by thy blood, O Lamb.

(song:

Z.

771.* T. 594 or 184.

JESUS, how great was thy desire Once more to eat the Paschal lamb With thy dear flock! O what love's fire

Did here thy sorrowing soul inflame!

Each precious word thy kindness showeth,

Thereby we are divinely blest;

Is herein render'd manifest.

2. Thy love is great, beyond all

measure,

Thence we derive eternal good; Thou grantest us, O what a treaThy holy body and thy blood; (sure, Lord Jesus, was it not sufficient That thou shouldst die for our offence,

But out of love, thou every patient Wouldst heal, and make thy residence.

3. O love divine, how strong, how ardent,

More strong than death; our life to gain,

The incarnate God, thro' love most fervent,

Was as a lamb for sinners slain: Love urg'd the sovereign great Cre

thy name,

Till thou return, and we shall eat
The marriage-supper of the Lamb:
In memory of our dying Lord,
The church on earth, till time shall
Meets at his table to record (end,
The love of her departed Friend.

774.
T. 9.
SUFFERING Saviour, Lamb of
How hast thou been used! (God,
With God's sin-avenging rod
Soul and body bruised!

2. We, for whom thou once wast slain,

We, whose sins did pierce thee, Now commemorate thy pain,

And implore thy mercy.

3. What can we poor sinners do,
When temptations seize us?
Nought have we to look unto,
But the blood of Jesus.

4. Pardon all our sins, O Lord;
All our weakness pity:
Guide us safely by thy word
To the heavenly city.

5. O sustain us on the road

Thro' this desert dreary; Feed us with thy flesh and blood,

When we're faint and weary. 6. Bid us call to mind thy cross, Our hard hearts to soften; Often, Saviour, feast us thus, For we need it often.

J. Hart.

775.* T. 581 or 83.

TO avert from men God's wrath
Jesus suffer'd in our stead;
By an ignominious death

He a full atonement made;
And by his most precious blood

Brought us sinners nigh to God. 2. That we never should forget

This great love on us bestow'd, He gave us his flesh to eat,

And to drink his precious blood: All who sick and needy are May receive in him a share.

3. Hither each afflicted soul May repair, tho' fill'd with grief; To the sick, not to the whole,

The physician brings relief: Fear not therefore, but draw nigh, Christ will all your wants supply. 4. He who in self-righteousness Fixes any hope or stay, Has not on a wedding-dress, And with shame is sent away; To the hungry, weary heart,

He will food and rest impart. 5. But examine first your case,

Whether you be in the faith; Do you mourn for pardoning grace! Is your only hope his death? Then, howe'er your soul's opprest,

Come, you are a worthy guest. 6. He who Jesus' mercy knows,

Is from wrath and envy freed: Love unto our neighbour shows That we are his flock indeed: Thus we may in all our ways Show forth our Redeemer's praise.

When our Lord again appears,
Now from sight retired:

2. He hath with a pledge of grace
His dear flock supplied,
Whereby we, his witness-race,
Show forth that he died.

3. 'Tis his body and his blood
Which the soul refreshes;
Church of Christ, this highest good
Claims thy thanks and praises.

4. By this sacrament we are
To our Lord united;
To due watchfulness and prayer,
And good works excited.

5. With deep reverence we draw Falling down before thee; (nigh, While we this repast enjoy,

We with awe adore thee.

6. Us thy congregation own,
Let us taste thy favour,
And by faith recline, like John,
On thy breast, dear Saviour.

777.*

Layritz.

T. 23.

SOUL, at this most awful season,
Soar above thy scanty reason; (est;
To the light approach, where clear-
Duly mind what dress thou wearest.
2. Jesus, Lord of the creation,
Gives thee now an invitation;
His unbounded love revealing,
He'll take up in thee his dwelling.
3. Heavenly joy and holy trembling
I feel in me, past dissembling;
Since, by sharing this communion,
I'm with God in closest union.
4. Human reason is too shallow
In this mystery thee to follow,
How thou hast unto us given
Thy own flesh, the bread of heaven:

COME, approach to Jesus' table,
Taste that food incomparable,
Which to us is freely given,
As an antepast of heaven.
2. Jesus' bride, his congregation,
Calls to mind her Saviour's passion;
With his body she is nourish'd,
With his blood refresh'd and
cherish'd.

3. This mysterious, heavenly blessing

Is all thought by far surpassing;
Deeply bow'd we now adore thee,
Soul and body sink before thee.
4. Now is come our time sabbatic,
Lord, we feel thy power emphatic:
Ah, draw near to us, dear Saviour,
Let us taste thy grace and favour.

779.*

My soul, prepare to meet
Thy Saviour; at his feet

Fall down adoring:
The Lord of earth and skies
A feast for thee supplies,

Z.

T. 71.

Past thy exploring. 2. How vast is here display'd, In brightest form array'd,

His love's dimension! O grace, beyond the ken Of angels or of men, Past comprehension!

3. Ah, why am I so blest,
That such a heavenly guest
My house will enter?
Dare I, thou highest good,
To taste thy flesh and blood,
A sinner, venture?

4. Upon thy call I'm here;
I venture to draw near,

For thou art gracious:
I on thy word rely,
Thou wilt my soul supply
With food delicious.

5. Grant me but this firm faith,
That with thee by thy death
I am united:

To cheer and make me whole,
Thou hast my sin-sick soul
Freely invited.

6. Thy body slain for me,
My food, my foretaste be

Of heaven's fruition; And by its power may I, While I the world deny,

Gain there admission.

7. Pervade, thou precious flood
Of Christ's all-healing blood,
My soul and senses;
And to my needy heart
Life, peace, and health impart;

Thus heaven commences.

8. Lord, of thy wondrous love
That brought thee from above
Thou gav'st this token:
O may it constantly
Unite my heart to thee

In bonds unbroken.

9. May every drop of blood In me, O Lord my God,