I find incessant cause to bless

And love my guardian God.

2 Through all the labyrinth of life,
My folly he pursu'd;

My wandering heart to quick return,
How tenderly he woo'd!

3 I rarely plann'd, but cause I found
My plan's defeat to bless!

Oft I lamented an event

Which turn'd to my success.

4 When labouring under fancied ill, My spirits to sustain,

He kindly cur'd with wholesome draughts Of unaffected pain.

5 Sometimes he brought me near to death,
And, pointing to the grave,

Made terror whisper kind advice,
And taught the tomb to save.

6 To raise my thoughts beyond where worlds As spangles o'er us shine;

One day he gave, and made the next
My soul's delight resign.

7 From what seem'd horror and despair,
The richest harvest rose ;

And gave me in the will divine,
An absolute repose.

YOUNG.

HYMN CCLXXIV. Long Metre.
Crucifixtion to the World by the Cross of Christ.
! WHEN I survey the wondrous cross,
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

b

2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
But in the death of Christ, my God;
All the vain things that charm me most
I sacrifice them to his blood.

3 See from his head, his hands, his feet,

Sorrow and love flow mingled down; Did e'er such love and sorrow meet? Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

4 His dying crimson, like a robe,

Spreads o'er his body on the tree;
Then am I dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.
5 Were the whole realm of rature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

WATTS.

HYMN CCLXXV. Common Metre. * or b
Trust in God's Word.

1 WHEN sin and sorrow, fear and pain
My trembling heart dismay,
My feeble strength, alas, how vain,
It sinks and dies away.

2 My spirit asks a firmer prop,

I lean upon the Lord;

My God, the pillar of my hope
Is thy unchanging word.

3 On this are built the brightest joys
Celestial beings know;

And 'tis the same almighty voice
Supports the saints below.

4 'Tis this upholds the rolling spheres,
And heaven's immortal frame;

Then let my soul suppress her fears,
My basis is the same.

5 Thy sacred word, thy solemn oath
For ever must remain;

I trust in everlasting truth,

Nor shall my trust be vain.

Mrs. STEELE.

HYMN CCLXXVI. Common Metre. or b Repentance and Pardon. Isaiah Iv.

1 WHEN sinners quit their wicked ways,
Their evil thoughts forego,

The God to whom their steps return
Returning grace will show.

2 He pardons with o'erflowing love;
For, hear the voice divine;
My nature is not like to yours,
"Nor like your ways are mine.
3"But far as heaven's resplendent orbs
"Beyond this earth extend;

"So far my thoughts, so far my ways
"Your thoughts and ways transcend.

4"Like as the showers from heaven distil, "Nor thither rise again,

"But swell the earth with fruitful juice,
"And all its tribes sustain ;

5" So not a word that flows from me
"Shall ineffectual fall;
"But universal nature prove
“Obedient to my call.

6" Where briers grew in barren wilds,
"Shall firs and myrtles spring;

"And nature through her utmost bounds Eternal praises sing."

Scotch Paraphrases.

HYMN CCLXXVII. Long Metre. or b The Influence of the Divine Spirit.

! WHEN the blest Comforter is nigh, "Tis he sustains my sinking heart; Else would my hopes for ever die, And every cheering ray depart.

2 When some kind promise glads my soul; Does not his kind and welcome voice

The tempest of my fears control, And bid my drooping heart rejoice? 3 Whene'er to call the Saviour mine, With ardent wish my heart aspires, Can it be less than power divine Which animates these strong desires? 4 What less than thy almighty word Can raise my heart from earth and dust, And bid me welcome to my Lord, My life, my treasure, and my trust? 5 And when my lively hope can say I love my God and taste his grace, Lord, is it not thy blissful ray Which gives the vision of thy face? 6 Let thy good Spirit in my heart For ever dwell, O God of love; And light and heavenly peace impart ; Blest earnest of the joys above.

Mrs. STEELE.

HYMN CCLXXVIII.

Common Metre. *

The Pleasure of Religion.

1 WHEN true religion gains a place,

And lives within the mind,

The sensual life, subdued by grace,
And all the soul refin'd;

2 The desert blooms in living green,
Where thorns and briers grew;
The barren waste is fruitful seen,
And all the prospect new.

3 The storms of rugged winter cease,
The frozen powers revive;

Spring blooms without, within is peace,
All nature seems alive.

4 O happy christian, richly bless'd!
What floods of pleasure roll!
By God and man he stands confess'd
In dignity of soul.

5 Substantial, pure, his every joy;
His Maker is his friend;
The noblest business his employ,
And happiness his end!

6 Ye sensual, worldly, proud and vain,
Your airy good pursue;

Let me religion's pleasure gain,

I'll leave the world to you.

PROUD.

HYMN CCLXXIX. Common Metre. * or b

The last Tempest.

1 WHEN wild confusion wrecks the air,
And tempests rend the skies;
Whilst blended ruin, clouds and fire
In harsh disorder rise;

2 Safe in my Saviour's love I'll stand,
And strike a tuneful song;
My harp all trembling in my hand,
And all inspir'd my tongue.

I'll shout aloud, "Ye thunders roll,
And shake the sullen sky,