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3 This is the field where hidden lies,
The pearl of price unknown;
That merchant is divinely wise,
Who makes the pearl his own.
4 Here consecrated water flows,
To quench my thirst of sin;
Here the fair tree of knowledge grows,
Nor danger dwells therein.

5 This is the Judge that ends the strife,
Where wit and reason fail;
My guide to everlasting life,
Through all this gloomy vale.

60 may thy counsels, mighty God,
My roving feet command;
Nor I forsake the happy road
That leads to thy right-hand.

THE CHURCH OF GOD.

512. The Beauty of the Church. (S. M.)

AR as thy name is known,

1 FAR

2

The world declares thy praise;

Thy saints, O Lord, before thy throne,
Their songs of honour raise.

With joy let Judah stand

On Sion's chosen hill;

Proclaim the wonders of thy hand,

And counsels of thy will.

3 Let strangers walk around
The city where we dwell,

Compass and view thine holy ground,
And mark the building well;

4 The orders of thy house,
The worship of thy court,

The cheerful songs, the solemn vows;
And make a fair report.

5 How decent and how wise!
How glorious to behold!

Beyond the pomp that charms the eyes,
And rites adorn'd with gold.

6 The God we worship now,
Will guide us till we die,
Will be our God while here below,
And ours above the sky.

513. The Church the Birth-place of the Saints.

(L. M.)

OD in his early temple lays

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Foundations for his heavenly praise:

He likes the tents of Jacob well,

But still in Zion loves to dwell.

2 His mercy visits every house,

That pay their night and morning vows;
But makes a more delightful stay,
Where churches meet to praise and pray.
3 What glories were describ'd of old!
What wonders are of Zion told!
Thou city of our God below,

Thy fame shall Tyre and Egypt know.
4 Egypt and Tyre, and Greek and Jew,
Shall there begin their lives anew:
Angels and men shall join to sing
The hill where living waters spring.

5 When God makes up his last account, Of natives in his holy mount,

"Twill be an honour to appear

As one new-born or nourish'd there!

514. The Church is the Garden of God. (L. M.)

1 ORD, 'tis a pleasant thing to stand In gardens planted by thine hand;

Let me within thy courts be seen, Like a young cedar fresh and green. 2 There grow thy saints in faith and love, Blest with thine influence from above: Not Lebanon with all its trees, Yields such a comely sight as these. 3 The plants of grace shall ever live; (Nature decays, but grace must thrive ;) Time, that doth all things else impair, Still makes them flourish strong and fair. 4 Laden with fruits of age, they shew The Lord is holy, just, and true; None that attend his gates shall find A God unfaithful or unkind.

515.

1

Going to Church. (C. M.)

HOW did my heart rejoice to hear

My friends devoutly say,

"In Zion let us all appear,
"And keep the solemn day!"

2 I love her gates, I love the road;
The church adorn'd with grace,
Stands like a palace built for God,
To show his milder face.

3 Up to her courts with joys unknown,
The holy tribes repair;

The Son of David holds his throne,
And sits in judgment there.

4 He hears our praises and complaints;
And while his awful voice
Divides the sinners from the saints,
We tremble and rejoice.

5 Peace be within this sacred place,
And joy a constant guest!
With holy gifts and heavenly grace,
Be her attendants blest!

6 My soul shall pray for Zion still,
While life or breath remains ;
There my best friends, my kindred dwell,
There God my Saviour reigns.

16.

The same. (P.M.)

1 HOW pleas'd and bless'd was I,

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To hear the people cry,

Come, let us seek our God to day!"
Yes, with a cheerful zeal,

We haste to Zion's hill,

And there our vows and honours pay.

2 Zion, thrice happy place,

Adorn'd with wond'rous grace,

And walls of strength embrace thee round; In thee our tribes appear,

To pray, and praise, and hear The sacred gospel's joyful sound.

3 There David's greater Son
Has fix'd his royal throne,
He sits for grace and judgment there;
He bids the saint be glad,

He makes the sinner sad,
And humble souls rejoice with fear.

4 May peace attend thy gate,
And joy within thee wait,
To bless the soul of every guest!
The man that seeks thy peace,
And wishes thine increase,
A thousand blessings on him rest!
5 My tongue repeats her vows,
"Peace to this sacred house!"
For there my friends and kindred dwell;
And since my glorious God

Makes thee his blest abode,
My soul shall ever love thee well.

517.

A Church established. (C.M.)

1 NO sleep nor slumber to his eyes,

Good David would afford,

Till he had found below the skies
A dwelling for the Lord.

2 The Lord in Zion plac'd his name,
His ark was settled there;
To Zion the whole nation came
To worship thrice a year.

3 But we have no such lengths to go,
Nor wander far abroad;

Where'er thy saints assemble now,
There is a house for God.

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