Sabbath.-MRS. BARBAuld.
166. Doversdale 208. Triumphant 230. Geneva 303 WHEN, as returns this solemn day,
WH
Man comes to meet his Maker, God,
What rights, what honours shall he pay?
How spread his sovereign's praise abroad?
2 From marble domes and gilded spires
Shall curling clouds of incense rise?
And gems, and gold, and garlands deck
The costly pomp of sacrifice?
3 Vain, sinful man! creation's Lord,
Thy golden offerings well may spare:
But give thy heart, and thou shalt find,
Here dwells a God who heareth prayer.
The eternal Sabbath.-Doddridge. 167. Sabbath 227. Suffolk 229. Bampton 275.
LORD of the Sabbath, hear our vows,
On this thy day, in this thy house:
And own, as grateful sacrifice,
The songs which from the desert rise.
2 Thine earthly sabbaths, Lord, we love;
But there's a nobler rest above;
To that our lab'ring souls aspire,
With ardent pangs of strong desire.
3 No more fatigue, no more distress,
Nor sin, nor hell shall reach the place;
No groans to mingle with the songs
Which warble from immortal tongues.
4 No rude alarms of raging foes;
No cares to break the long repose;
No midnight shade, no clouded sun,
But sacred, high, eternal noon.
Kemsey 213. Peters 225. Portugal 97.
HAT various hindrances we meet
In coming to a mercy-seat!
Yet who, that knows the worth of prayer,
But wishes to be often there?
2 Prayer makes the darken'd cloud withdraw,
Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw,
Gives exercise to faith and love,
Brings every blessing from above.
3 Restraining prayer, we cease to fight;
Prayer makes the Christian's armour bright;
And Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees. 4 While Moses stood with arms spread wide, Success was found on Israel's side; But when through weariness they fail'd, That moment Amalek prevail'd.
5 Have you no words? Ah! think again;
Words flow apace when you complain,
And fill your fellow-creature's ear
With the sad tale of all your care.
6 Were half the breath that's vainly spent,
To heaven in supplication sent,
Your cheerful songs would oftner be,
"Hear what the Lord has done for me!"
Jehovah-Shalem-The Lord send Peace.—
Peace 426. Campbell 428.
JESUS, whose blood so freely stream'd
To satisfy the law's demand;
By thee from guilt and wrath redeem'd, Before the Father's face I stand. 2 To reconcile offending man—
Make Justice drop her angry rod-
What creature could have form'd the plan,
Or who fulfil it but a God?
3 No drop remains of all the curse,
For wretches who deserv'd the whole;
No arrows dipt in wrath to pierce
The guilty, but returning soul.
4 Peace by such means so dearly bought,
What rebel could have hop'd to see?
Peace, by his injur'd Sovereign wrought,
His Sovereign fastened to the tree.
5 Now, Lord, thy feeble worm prepare !
For strife with earth and hell begins;
Confirm and gird me for the war,
They hate the soul that hates his sins.
6 Let them in horrid league agree!
They may assault, they may distress,
But cannot quench thy love to me,
Nor rob me of the Lord, my peace.
Holy Boldness.—Beddome.
169. Peru 224. Penitents 226. Triumphant 230.
PRINKLED with reconciling blood,
I dare approach thy throne, O God; Thy face no frowning aspect wears, Thy hand no vengeful thunder bears! 2 Th' encircling rainbow, peaceful sign! Doth with refulgent brightness shine: And while my faith beholds it near, I bid farewell to every fear.
3 Let me my grateful homage pay;
With courage sing, with fervour pray;
And, tho' myself a wretch undone,
Hope for acceptance thro' thy Son.-
4 Thy Son, who on th' accursed tree
Expired to set the vilest free;
On this I build my only claim,
And all I ask is in his name.
169. Berwick 236. Refuge 250. Zion Temple 302. S birds their infant brood protect,
And spread their wings to shelter them; Thus saith the Lord to his elect, "So will I guard Jerusalem." 2 And what then is Jerusalem, This darling object of his care? Where is its worth in God's esteem? Who built it? who inhabits there? 3 Jehovah founded it in blood,
The blood of his incarnate Son:
There dwell the saints, once foes to God,
The sinners whom he calls his own.
4 There, though besieg'd on every side,
Yet much belov'd and guarded well,
From age to age they have defied
The utmost force of earth and hell.
5 Let earth repent, and hell despair,
This city has a sure defence;
Her name is call'd, "The Lord is there,"
And who has pow'r to drive him thence?
Jesus present with his People.—
DR. S. STENNETT.
170. Cottage 206. Old England 219. Admiration 235. WHERE two or three, with sweet accord, Obedient to their sovereign Lord,
Meet to recount his acts of grace,
And offer solemn prayer and praise;
2 "There," says the Saviour, "will I be,
Amid this little company;
To them unveil my smiling face,
And shed my glories round the place."
3 We meet at thy command, O Lord,
Relying on thy faithful word:
Now send thy Spirit from above,
Now fill our hearts with heavenly love.
The House of Prayer.-Cowper.
Warrington 231. Alpha 301.
mansion is the Christian's heart, O Lord, thy dwelling-place secure!
Bid the unruly throng depart, And leave the consecrated door. 2 Devoted as it is to thee,
A thievish swarm frequents the place;
They steal away my joys from me,
And rob my Saviour of his praise.
3 There too a sharp designing trade,
Sin, Satan, and the World maintain;
Nor cease to press me, and persuade,
To part with ease and purchase pain.
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