From age to age his mercy lasts,
and holy is his name.

3 Strength with his arm th' Almighty show'd; the proud his looks abas'd;

He cast the mighty to the ground,

the meek to honour rais'd.

4 The hungry with good things were fill'd, the rich with hunger pin'd: He sent his servant Isr'el help, and call'd his love to mind;

5 Which to our fathers' ancient race
his promise did ensure,

To Abrah'm and his chosen seed,
for ever to endure.

XXXVII. LUKE ii. 8-15.

WHILE humble shepherds watch'd their

Win Bethleh'm's plains by night, [flocks

An angel sent from heav'n appear'd,
and fill'd the plains with light.

2 Fear not, he said, (for sudden dread
had seiz'd their troubled mind;)
Glad tidings of great joy I bring
to you, and all mankind.

3 To you, in David's town, this day
is born, of David's line,

The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord;
and this shall be the sign:

4 The heav'nly Babe you there shall find
to human view display'd,

All meanly wrapt in swaddling-bands,
and in a manger laid.

5 Thus spake the seraph; and forthwith
appear'd a shining throng

Of angels, praising God; and thus address'd their joyful song: 6 All glory be to God on high, and to the earth be peace; Good-will is shown by Heav'n to men, and never more shall cease.

1

XXXVIII. LUKE ii. 25–33.

Judo him it was reveal'd,

[UST and devout old Simeon liv'd;

That Christ, the Lord, his eyes should see, ere death his eyelids seal'd.

2 For this consoling gift of Heav'n
to Isr'el's fallen state,

From year to year, with patient hope,
the aged saint did wait.

3 Nor did he wait in vain; for, lo!
revolving years brought round,

In season due, the happy day,

which all his wishes crown'd.

4 When Jesus, to the temple brought by Mary's pious care,

As Heav'n's appointed rites requir'd,
to God was offer'd there,

5 Simeon into those sacred courts
a heav'nly impulse drew;
He saw the Virgin hold her Son,
and straight his Lord he knew.

6 With holy joy upon his face
the good old father smil'd;
Then fondly in his wither'd arms
he clasp'd the promis'd child:

7 And while he held the heav'n-born Babe, ordain'd to bless mankind,

Thus spoke, with earnest look, and heart

exulting, yet resign'd:

8 Now, Lord! according to thy word,
let me in peace depart;

Mine eyes have thy salvation seen,
and gladness fills my heart.

9 At length my arms embrace my Lord,
now let their vigour cease;
At last my eyes my Saviour see,
now let them close in peace.

10 This great salvation, long prepar'd,
and now disclos'd to view,

Hath prov'd thy love was constant still,
and promises were true.

11 That Sun I now behold, whose light
shall heathen darkness chase,
And rays of brightest glory pour
around thy chosen race.

XXXIX. LUKE iv. 18, 19.

HARK, the glad sound, the Saviour

the Saviour promis'd long; [comes!

Let ev'ry heart exult with joy,

and ev'ry voice be song!

2 On him the Spirit, largely shed,
exerts its sacred fire;

Wisdom and might, and zeal and love,
his holy breast inspire.

3 He comes! the pris'ners to relieve,
in Satan's bondage held;

The gates of brass before him burst,
the iron fetters yield.

4. He comes! from dark'ning scales of vice
to clear the inward sight;

And on the eye-balls of the blind to pour celestial light.

5 He comes! the broken hearts to bind, the bleeding souls to cure;

And with the treasures of his grace t' enrich the humble poor.

6 The sacred year has now revolv'd, accepted of the Lord,

When Heav'n's high promise is fulfill'd,
and Isr'el is restor❜d.

7 Our glad hosannahs, Prince of Peace!
thy welcome shall proclaim;
And heav'n's exalted arches ring
with thy most honour'd name.

XL. LUKE XV. 13-25.

HE wretched prodigal behold

Tin mis'ry lying low,

Whom vice had sunk from high estate,
and plung'd in want and woe.

2 While I, despis'd and scorn'd, he cries,
starve in a foreign land,

The meanest in my father's house
is fed with bounteous hand:

3 I'll go, and with a mourning voice,
fall down before his face:

Father! I've sinn'd 'gainst Heav'n and thee, nor can deserve thy grace.

4 He said, and hasten'd to his home,
to seek his father's love:

The father sees him from afar,
and all his bowels move.

5 He ran, and fell upon his neck,
embrac'd and kiss'd his son:

The grieving prodigal bewail'd
the follies he had done.

6 No more, my father, can I hope
to find paternal grace;
My utmost wish is to obtain
a servant's humble place.

7 Bring forth the fairest robe for him,
the joyful father said;

To him each mark of grace be shown, and ev'ry honour paid.

8 A day of feasting I ordain;

let mirth and song abound:
My son was dead, and lives again!
was lost, and now is found!

9 Thus joy abounds in paradise
among the hosts of heav'n,
Soon as the sinner quits his sins,
repents, and is forgiv'n.

XLI. JOHN iii. 14—19.

S when the Hebrew prophet rais'd

A the brazen serpent high,

The wounded look'd, and straight were

the people ceas'd to die :

2 So from the Saviour on the cross

a healing virtue flows;

Who looks to him with lively faith
is sav'd from endless woes.

3 For God gave up his Son to death,
so gen'rous was his love,

That all the faithful might enjoy
eternal life above.

4 Not to condemn the sons of men
the Son of God appear'd;

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