XXVI. [BK. II. xliv.] ON OPENING. A PLACE FOR SOCIAL PRAYER JESUS, where'er thy people meet, For thou, within no walls confin'd, Such ever bring thee, where they come, Here may we prove the pow'r of pray'r, XXVII. [BK. 11. liii.] WELCOME TO THE TABLE Oh, bless the Saviour, ye that eat, The vile, the lost, he calls to them, 1 Isa. liv. 2. 20 help] bless later editions. 8 16 24 8 Approach ye poor, nor dare refuse If guilt and sin afford a plea, And may obtain a place; Surely the LORD will welcome me, XXVIII. [BK. II. lv.] JESUS HASTING TO SUFFER Good-will to men, and zeal for God, 16 He longs to be baptiz'd with blood1, 8 And woes, to us unknown, Forth to the task his spirit flew, LORD, we return thee what we can! And while thy bleeding glories here We learn our lighter cross to bear, XXIX. [BK. II. lx.] EXHORTATION TO PRAYER WHAT various hindrances we meet In coming to a mercy-seat ! Yet who that knows the worth of pray'r, But wishes to be often there? Pray'r makes the dark'ned cloud withdraw, Pray'r climbs the ladder Jacob saw; Gives exercise to faith and love, Brings ev'ry blessing from above. 1 Luke xii. 50. 16 8 Restraining pray'r, we cease to fight; The weakest saint upon his knees. While Moses stood with arms spread wide, Have you no words! Ah, think again, Were half the breath thus vainly spent, Your cheerful song would oft'ner be, 16 "Hear what the LORD has done for me!" 24 XXX. [BK. II. lxii.] THE LIGHT AND GLORY OF THE WORD THE Spirit breathes upon the word, And brings the truth to sight; A sanctifying light.. A glory gilds the sacred page, It gives a light to ev'ry age, It gives, but borrows none. The hand that gave it, still supplies His truths upon the nations rise, 8 XXXI. [BK. II. lxxiii.] ON THE DEATH OF A MINISTER His Master taken from his head, Elisha saw him go; And, in desponding accents said, But he forgot the LORD, who lifts What! when a Paul has run his course, Is Israel left without resource? And have we no supplies? 8 Yes, while the dear Redeemer lives, We have a boundless store; And shall be fed with what he gives, 16 When I review my ways, I dread impending doom; But sure, a friendly whisper says, "Flee from the wrath to come." I see, or think I see, A glimm'ring from afar; A beam of day that shines for me, Fore-runner of the sun ', XXXI-8 Should A. XXXII-1 fled] dead 1779. 16 XXXIII. [BK. III. X.] THE WAITING SOUL BREATHE from the gentle South, O LORD, I wish, thou know'st, to be resign'd, But hope delay'd fatigues the mind, Help me to reach the distant goal, Confirm my feeble knee; Pity the sickness of a soul That faints for love of thee. Cold as I feel this heart of mine, Yet since I feel it so- It yields some hope of life divine I seem forsaken and alone, And ev'ry door is shut but one, There, till the dear Deliv'rer come, XXXIV. [BK. III. xiii.] SEEKING THE BELOVED To those who know the LORD I speak, The bridegroom of my soul I seek, Oh! when will he appear! Tho' once a man of grief and shame, And bears the greatest, sweetest name, Grace flies before, and love attends Tho' none can see him but his friends, 24 me] him first in 1787. 8 16 24 8 |