PENITENCE AND REFORMATION.

HYMN 329. C. M. [b]

Repentance and Hope.

1 0 THOU, the wretched's sure Retreat,
My restless cares control,

And, with the cheerful smile of peace,
Revive my fainting soul.

2 Oppressed with grief and shame, dissolved In penitential tears,

Thy goodness calms my rising doubts,
And dissipates my fears.

3 From that blest Source, propitious hope
Appears serenely bright,
And sheds its soft, diffusive beam
O'er sorrow's dismal night.

4 My griefs confess its vital power,
And bless the friendly ray
Which ushers in the peaceful morn
Of everlasting day.

HYMN 330. C. M. [b]
Repentance.

1 My Saviour, when my thoughts recall
The wonders of thy grace,
Low at thy feet ashamed I fall,
And hide my blushing face.

2 Shall love like thine be thus repaid?
Ah, vile, ungrateful heart,
By earth's unworthy cares betrayed,
From Jesus to depart!

3 From Jesus, who alone can give
True pleasure, peace, and rest:
When absent from my Lord, I live
Unsatisfied, unblest.

4 O, while I breathe to thee, my Lord,
The penitential sigh,
Confirm the kind, the pardoning word,
With pity in thine eye.

HYMN 331. L. M. [b]

Penitential Confession.

1 HEAR me, O Lord, in my distress; Hear me in truth and righteousness; For, at thy bar of judgment tried, None living can be justified.

2 Lord, I have foes without, within, The world, the flesh, in-dwelling sin, Life's daily ills, temptation's power, And passions raging to devour.

3 Teach me thy will, subdue my own; Thou art my God, and thou alone; By thy good spirit guide me still, Safe from all foes, to Zion's hill.

4 Release my soul from trouble, Lord;
Quicken and keep me by thy word;
May all its promises be mine;
Be thou my Portion-I am thine.

HYMN 332.

C. M. [b]

Contrition.

1 0 THOU, Whose tender mercy hears Contrition's humble sigh,

Whose hand, indulgent, wipes the tears From sorrow's weeping eye,

2 See, low before thy throne of grace,
A wretched wanderer mourn!
Hast thou not bid me seek thy face?
Hast thou not said, Return?

3 O shine on this benighted heart!
With beams of mercy shine,
And let thy healing voice impart
A taste of joys divine.

4 Thy presence only can bestow
Delights which never cloy :
Be this my solace here below,
And my eternal joy.

HYMN 333. L. M. [b]
Penitential Aspirations.

1 SHOW mercy, Lord; O Lord, forgive;
Let a repenting sinner live :
Are not thy mercies large and free?
May not the contrite trust in thee?

2 O wash my soul from every stain, Nor let the guilt I mourn remain ; Give me to hear thy pardoning voice, And bid my bleeding heart rejoice.

3 Give me a will to thine subdued,
A conscience pure, a soul renewed;
Nor let me, lost in hopeless gloom,
An outcast from thy presence roam.

4 Then shall thy love inspire my tongue;
Salvation shall be all my song;

And every power shall join to bless
The Lord, my Strength and Righteousness.

HYMN 334. C. M. [b]

Repentance and Peace.

1 How oft, alas, this wretched heart
Has wandered from the Lord!
How oft my roving thoughts depart,
Forgetful of his word!

2 Yet Sovereign Mercy calls, Return:
Dear Lord, and may I come?
My vile ingratitude I mourn :
O, take the wanderer home.

3 And canst thou, wilt thou, yet forgive,
And bid my crimes remove?
And shall a pardoned rebel live
To speak thy wondrous love?

4 Almighty Grace, thy healing power,
How glorious, how divine,

Which can to life and bliss restore
So vile a heart as mine!

5 Thy pardoning love, so free, so sweet, Dear Saviour, I adore :

O keep me at thy sacred feet,

And let me rove no more.

HYMN 335. L. M. [b]

Confession and Pardon.

1 WHILE I keep silence, and conceal
My heavy guilt within my heart,
What torments doth my conscience feel!
What agonies of inward smart!

2 I spread my sins before the Lord,
And all my secret faults confess;
Thy gospel speaks a pardoning word;
Thy holy spirit seals the grace.
3 For this shall every humble soul

Make swift addresses to thy seat;
When floods of huge temptations roll,

There shall they find a blest retreat.

4 How safe beneath thy wings I lie,

When days grow dark, and storms appear! And, when I walk, thy watchful eye Shall guide me safe from every snare.

HYMN 336. 7s. M. [b]

Penitential.

1 GOD of mercy, God of love,

Hear our sad, repentant songs; Listen to thy suppliant race,

Thou to whom all grace belongs.

2 Deep regret for follies past,

Talents wasted, time misspent, Hearts debased by worldly cares, Thankless for the blessings lent,