Wrapt in impenetrable shades,
Or cloth'd with dazzling light.

2 The wond'rous methods of thy grace Evade the human eye;

The nearer we attempt t'approach,
The farther off we fly.

3 But in the world of bliss above,
Where thou dost ever reign,

These myst'ries shall be all unveil'd,
And not a doubt remain.

4 The sun of righteousness shall there
His brightest beams display;
And not a hov'ring cloud obscure
That everlasting day.

1

TIS

302.

IS the voice of wisdom, crying
To the fallen sons of men :

66 'Listen, O ye sinners, dying,
"Catch the sacred accents, then.

2 "In the scheme of man's salvation,
“I, as wisdom, did convene,
"Ere the beauties of creation

Were, from chaos rising, seen.

3 "Head elect, ere Adam, sinning, "Ruin'd all his unborn race : "Of creation, the beginning; "Full of truth, and full of grace.

4 "Ere the bright angelic legion Sang creation's natal day,

Pleas'd, I saw the distant region,
"Where my mystic body lay.

5 ""Twas for them I stood convicted,
"Bound by love's immortal tie;
"Suffer'd all the law inflicted;
"Did on Calv'ry's summit die."

6 Sinners, now from Jesus roving,
Who at sov'reign mercy spurn;
Jesus calls, for ever loving,

Once again, “return, return."

303.

NOME, saints! and sing, in sweet accord,—

1 COM

Nor let your sorrows swell,

The cov'nant made with David's Lord,
In all things order'd well.

;

2 This cov'nant stood, ere time began,
That God with men might dwell
Eternal wisdom drew the plan,
In all things order'd well.

3 This cov❜nant, O believer! stands,
Thy rising fears to quell;

Seal'd by the surety's bleeding hands
In all things order'd well.

4 Ere Adam stretch'd his hands, to take
That fruit, by which he fell,

;

This cov'nant stood, for Jesus' sake,-
In all things order'd well.

5 No sinner, once within its bounds, Shall ever sink to hell;

Here's pardon, love, and grace profound,— In all things order'd well.

6 'Twas made with Jesus, for his bride, Before the sinner fell;

'Twas sign'd, and seal'd, and ratified,— In all things order'd well.

7 When rolling worlds depart on fire,
And thousands sink to hell,

This cov'nant shall the saints admire,-
In all things order'd well.

8 In glory soon, with Christ their King,
His saints shall surely dwell;
And this blest cov'nant ever sing,—
In all things order'd well.

1

THE LORD'S SUPPER.

304.

TEADY, in Sion's righteous cause,
Our loving Surety stood;

And to redeem his chosen race,

He freely pour'd his blood.

2 Stronger than death was Jesus' love,
Mighty his arm to save;

He vanquish'd all the pow'rs of hell,
And triumph'd o'er the grave.'

3 How brightly his victorious deeds,
Throughout the gospel shine!

With joy, our spirits trace his love,
In each unfading line.

4 But, lest our mem'ries, frail and false,
Should e'er that love forget,
His ordinances clearly teach
The facts his words relate.

5 These to our minds recall his grace;
His preciousness proclaim;
And, down the rapid stream of time,
Shall bear his mighty name.

1

J

305.

[ESUS! we now surround thy board,
To banquet and to feed :

Thy flesh and blood, almighty Lord!
Is meat and drink indeed!

2 Thy sacred flesh and saving blood,
Do ev'ry type exceed :

And, to our souls, this heav'nly food,
Is meat and drink indeed!

3 The paschal supper serv'd to shew,
How Jacob's tribes were freed;
And, in a figure, pointed to

This meat and drink indeed!

4 The manna, and the cheering stream,
For Israel's daily need,

Did, in the wilderness, proclaim
This meat and drink indeed!

5 This is our Lord's appointed feast, Enjoin'd on all his seed:

1

His flesh and blood, to ev'ry guest,
Is meat and drink indeed!

306.

ORD! at thy table, we behold
The wonders of thy grace;
But, most of all, admire that we
Should find a welcome place ;-

2 We, who were all defil'd with sin,
And rebels to our God;
We, who once crucified his Son,
And trampled on his blood.

3 What strange surprising grace is this,
That we should here find room!
Our Jesus takes us by the hand ;
Our Bridegroom bids us come.

4 "Eat, O my friends!" he sweetly cries,
"The feast was made for you;
"For you I groan'd, and bled, and died,
"And rose and triumph'd too."

5 With humble faith, and grateful hearts, Lord! we embrace thy love:

'Tis a rich banquet here below, And richer joys above.