"There shall come a Star out of Jacob." 38. WHAT star is this, with beams so bright, Which shames the sun's less radiant light? 'Tis sent to announce a new-born King,— Glad tidings of our GOD to bring. "Tis now fulfilled what GOD decreed, True love can brook no dull delay,- "Then I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean, a new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you." 39. IT is not that the wave can wash our GOD, But He doth consecrate the limpid wave; Touch'd by His flesh, as by a healing rod, Water hath learn'd new virtue, strong to save. The fountain long foretold is open free, From guilty spot to wash the heart unseen; O miracle of wondrous potency, The flesh is washed, the sin-stain'd soul is clean! 'Tis thus, immersed within the sacred flood, Thence GOD to us is born in wondrous love; To Thee, Who washest the lost world with blood "Lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved SoN, in Whom I am well pleased." 40. Now JESUS lifts His prayer on high, Swift moving, like a beauteous dove, So those on whom is duly pour'd Theirs is the holy purity, And meekness of the dove; To them the HOLY GHOST is nigh, To fill their souls with love. LORD, since Thou hast remov'd our stain May no fresh sin destroy again Praise to the SON, through Whom alone Like praise be to the FATHER done, And to the HOLY GHOST. "And He went down to them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them." 41. IN stature grows the heavenly Child A Lamb unblemish'd, meek and mild, The Son of GOD His glory hides And He, Who made the heavens, abides Those mighty hands that stay the sky, And He, Who set the stars on high, He Whom the choirs of Angels praise, The FATHER'S Name we loudly raise, The SON we all adore, The HOLY GHOST, One GOD, we praise Both now and evermore. "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not." 42. THROUGH Judah's land the SAVIOUR walks, The word of life to teach: His own He seeks: His own refuse And yet the miracles He works The SON of GOD proclaim; The deaf can hear, the dumb pronounce, But no! they turn their ears away, They hate the sun, for ah! they love But we, O GOD, Thy light desire O ever on Thy chosen saints Such blessings, LORD, bestow TO GOD the FATHER, GOD the SON, "Alleluia! for the LORD GOD Omnipotent reigneth." 43. ALLELUIA! best and sweetest Of the hymns of praise above! Angel host, these notes of love. While your golden harps ye move. Alleluia! church victorious, Join the concert of the sky! Lift ye saints, this strain on high! We, poor exiles, Join not yet your melody. Alleluia! strains of gladness, Suit not souls with anguish torn: Alleluia! sounds of sadness Best become our state forlorn : Our offences We with bitter tears must mourn. But our earnest supplication, Ours at length this strain shall be. "Thou shalt call His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins." 44. JESU! the very thought of Thee, With sweetness fills my breast: But sweeter far Thy face to see, Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame, A sweeter sound than Thy blest Name, O Hope of every contrite heart, To those who fall, how kind Thou art! But what to those who find? ah! this JESU! our only Joy be Thou, As Thou our Prize wilt be; "A Name that is above every name." 45. O JESU! King most wonderful! Thou Conqueror renown'd! Thou Sweetness most ineffable, In Whom all joys are found! When once Thou visitest the heart, |