6

Through this vain world he guides our feet,
And leads us to his heavenly seat:
His mercies ever shall endure,

When this vain world shall be no more.
122. P. M.

God the unceasing Source of Good.

1

SING to the Lord, in cheerful songs,
The praise that to his name belongs,
Whose goodness still unceasing flows;
Repeat his name with grateful mind,
Who, ever good and ever kind,

No change, no variation knows :
O thou, our God and Father too!
Our grateful homage is thy due.

2

Sovereign alone of earth and sky!
On thee, for every hour's supply,

Thy various creatures all depend;
Man, whom thy light has given to know
The source whence all his blessings flow,
Views in his God his kindest Friend:
O thou, our God and Father too!
Our grateful homage is thy due.

3

Yet still our notes we'll higher raise,
To celebrate, in ardent praise,

Eternal life through Jesus given;
Thy gracious messenger he came,
(For ever blessed be thy name!)
And pointed out the way to heaven :
O thou, our God and Father too!
Eternal praises are thy due.

BOOK III.

HYMNS RESPECTING THE BLESSINGS OF THE GOSPEL.

123. C. M.

The Excellency of the Holy Scriptures.

1

FATHER of mercies! in thy word
What endless glory shines!
For ever be thy name ador'd,
For these celestial lines.

2

Here may the wretched sons of want
Exhaustless riches find;

Riches above what earth can grant,
And lasting as the mind.

3

Here the fair tree of knowledge grows,
And yields a free repast;

Sublimer sweets than nature knows,
Invite the longing taste.

4

Here springs of consolation rise,
To cheer the fainting mind;
And thirsty souls receive supplies,
And sweet refreshment find.

L

5

Oh may these heavenly pages be
My study and delight;

And still new beauties may

And still increasing light!

124. C. M.

I see,

The Excellency of the Holy Scriptures.

1

LORD! I have made thy word my choice,
My lasting heritage;

There shall my noblest powers rejoice,
My warmest thoughts engage.

2

I read the histories of thy love,
And keep thy laws in sight;
While through thy promises I rove,
With ever fresh delight.

3

"Tis a broad land of wealth unknown,
Where springs of life arise;
Seeds of immortal bliss are sown,
And hidden glory lies.

4

The best relief that mourners have;
It makes our sorrows blest;

Our fairest hope beyond the grave,
And our eternal rest.

125. C. M.

Praise for Divine Revelation.

1

A GLORY gilds the sacred page,
Majestic as the sun :

It gives a light to every age;
It gives, but borrows none.

2

The hand which gave it, still supplies
The gracious light and heat;
Its truths upon the nations rise;
They rise, but never set.

3

Let endless thanks, O God! be thine, For such a bright display,

As makes a world of darkness shine With beams of heavenly day.

4

With steadfast zeal may I
The steps of him I love,

pursue

Till glory breaks upon my view
In brighter worlds above.

How welcome is their voice, Who speak the Saviour's name; Who bring salvation on their tongues, And terms of peace proclaim!

2

How grateful is the sound! How good the tidings are! Which by the gospel Jesus sends To raise his triumphs here.

3

How blessed are our ears, That hear the joyful sound; Which kings and prophets waited for, And sought, but never found!

4

Christians, unite your tongues,
And cheerful notes employ;
Let saving love inspire your songs,
And heathens learn the joy.
127. C. M.

The perfect Law of Liberty.

1

BEHOLD that wise, that perfect law,
Which noblest freedom gives ;
Oh may it all our souls refine,
And sanctify our lives!

2

Not with a transient glance survey'd,
And in an hour forgot;

But deep inscrib'd on every heart,
To reign o'er every thought.

3

Great Author of each perfect gift,
Thy sovereign power display;
That our ungrateful wandering hearts
May hearken and obey.

4

Inspir'd by thee, our feeble souls

Shall pass victorious on;

As the faint dawning light improves To all the blaze of noon.