2 No more fatigue, no more distress,
Nor sin, nor hell, shall reach the place;
No groans to mingle with the songs
Which warble from immortal tongues.
3 No rude alarms of raging foes;
No cares to break the long repose;
No midnight shade, no clouded sun,
But sacred, high, eternal noon,
4 Thine earthly Sabbaths, Lord, we love,
But there's a nobler rest above ;
To that our labouring souls aspire,
With ardent pangs of strong desire.

HYMNS BEFORE PRAYER.'

353 (1st P.) C. M. Messiah 293. London 180. Prayer-Behold, he prayeth.

1 PRAYER is the breath of God in man, Returning whence it camé;

Love is the sacred fire within,
And prayer the rising flame.

2 The prayers and praises of the saints,
Like precious odours sweet,
Ascend and spread a rich perfume
Around the mercy-seat.

3 When God inclines the heart to pray,
He hath an ear to hear;

To him there's music in a groan,
And beauty in a tear.

4 The humble suppliant cannot fail
To have his wants supplied,

Since He for sinners intercedes,
Who once for sinners died.

BEDDOME.

353 (2d P.) L. M. Portugal 97. Langdon 217.

Exhortation to Prayer.

1 WHAT various hindrances we meet
In coming to a mercy-seat!

Yet who that knows the worth of prayer,
But wishes to be often there?

2 Prayer makes the darken'd cloud withdraw,
Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw,
Gives exercise to faith and love,
Brings every blessing from above.
3 Restraining prayer, we cease to fight;"
Prayer makes the Christian's armour bright;
And Satan trembles when he sees

The weakest saint upon his knees.

4 While Moses stood with arms spread wide, Success was found on Israel's side;

But when thro' weariness they fail'd,
That moment Amalek prevail'd.

7

5 Have you no words? Ah, think again, Words flow apace when you complain, And fill your fellow-creature's ear

With the sad tale of all your care.

5 Were half the breath thus vainly spent

1

To heaven in supplication sent,

Your cheerful songs would oft'ner be,

Hear what the Lord has done for me! coWPER.

353 (3d P.) L. M. Ulverston 179. N. Sabbath 122. Encouragement to Prayer-Ask, and it shall be given you,

Matt. vii. 7.

1

1 COME, needy soul, howe'er distress'd

And hear from heav'n THYSELF address'd; Ask, saith the Lord, and let me know What I shall now on thee bestow. 2 Art thou to seriousness inclin'd? Ask, and I'll solemnize thy mind: Dost thou want love to Jesu's name? Ask, and enjoy the matchless flame. 3 Dost thou want faith and holy fear? Ask, and behold the blessing's near: Dost thou want strength to conquer sin? Ask, and the vict'ry thou shalt win.

4 Dost thou want justifying grace,
Through Christ's all-perfect righteousness ;
Or holy peace and pardon seal'd?
Ask, for they wait to be reveal'd.
5 Would'st thou sweet fellowship renew
With Father, Son, and Spirit too;~~~
Delight thyself in God and prayer?
Ask, for the blessings promis'd are.
6 Would'st thou thy all to Jesus yield,
Be with his mind and spirit fill'd,
The heights of holiness attain?
Ask, for thou can'st not ask in vain.
7 Would'st thou surmount the fear of death,
Serenely breathe thy latest breath,

And live till then as those in heav'n?
ASK, ASK, THE BLISS SHALL ALL BE GIV’N.
EPIPHONEMA..

8 Sweet precept, and sweet promise, Lord!
We'll ask, encourag'd by thy word,
Now shall our wants be all supply'd;
For Christ has promis'd, Christ has died!

354

7s. Cookham 36. Stoel 164.

I will not let thee go, except thou bless me, Gen, xxxii. 26,

LORD, I cannot let thee go,

Till a blessing thou bestow;

Do not turn away thy face,
Mine's an urgent pressing case.

2 Dost thou ask me who I am?

Ah! my Lord, thou know'st my name;

Yet the question gives a plea

To support my suit with thee.

3 Thou didst once a wretch behold,
In rebellion blindly bold,

Scorn thy grace, thy power defy ;-
That poor rebel, Lord, was I.
4. Once a sinner near despair
Sought thy mercy-seat by prayer;

5 Many days have pass'd since then,
Many changes I have seen ;
Yet have been upheld till now;
Who could hold me up but thou?
6 Thou hast help'd in every need;"
This emboldens me to plead ;
After so much mercy past,
Canst thou let me sink at last?
7 No-I must maintain my hold,
"Tis thy goodness makes me bold;
I can no denial take,

When I plead for Jesus' sake.

355

C. M. Ludlow 84.

Crowle 3.

The successful Resolve--I will go in unto the King,

Esther iv. 16.

1 COME, humble sinner, in whose breast
A thousand thoughts revolve,

Come, with your guilt and fear opprest,
And make this last resolve :-

2 Tll go to Jesus, tho' my sin

Hath like a mountain rose;
I know his courts, I'll'enter in,
Whatever may oppose.

3 Prostrate I'll lie before his throne,
And there my guilt confess;

Tll tell him I'm a wretch undone
Without his sovereign grace,

4 I'll to the gracious King approach,
Whose sceptre pardon gives;
Perhaps he may command my touch,
And then the suppliant lives.

5 Perhaps he will admit my plea,
Perhaps will hear my prayer,
But if I perish, I will pray,
And perish only there.

~• Or read~And make this blest resolve,

7 But if I die with mercy sought," "
When I the King have tried,"
This were to die (delightful thought!)
As sinner never died.

', EDMUND JONES.

356 S. M. Eagle Street New 55. Broderip's 252

1

A broken Heart and a bleeding Saviour.

UNTO thine altar, Lord,

A broken heart I bring;

And wilt thou graciously accept
Of such a worthless thing?

2 To Christ, the bleeding Lamb,
My faith directs its eyes;

Thou may'st reject that worthless thing,
But not his sacrifice.

3 When he gave up the ghost,
The law was satisfy'd;

And now to its most rigorous claims,
I answer, Jesus died.

357 L. M. Rippon's 188. Ulverston 179.

Holy Boldness.

1 SPRINKLED with reconciling blood,
I dare approach thy throne, O God;
Thy face no frowning aspect wears,
Thy hand no vengeful thunder bears!
2 Th' encircling rainbow, peaceful sign!
Doth with refulgent brightness shine!
And, while my faith beholds it near,
1 bid farewell to every fear.

3 Let me my grateful homage pay;
With courage sing, with fervour pray;
And, tho' myself a wretch undone,
Hope for acceptance thro' thy Son-