Hymns and Spiritual Songs Part 49

G.o.d reconciled in Christ.

1 Dearest of all the names above My Jesus, and my G.o.d, Who can resist thy heavenly love, Or trifle with thy blood?

2 'Tis by the merits of thy death The Father smiles again; 'Tis by thine interceding breath The Spirit dwells with men.

3 Till G.o.d in human flesh I see, My thoughts no comfort find; The holy, just, and sacred Three Are terrors to my mind.

4 But if Immanuel's face appear, My hope, my joy, begins; His Name forbids my slavish fear, His grace removes my sins.

5 While Jews on their own law rely, And Greeks of wisdom boast, I love th' incarnate mystery, And there I fix my trust.

Hymn 2:149.

Honour to Magistrates; or, Government from G.o.d.

1 Eternal Sovereign of the sky, And Lord of all below, We mortals to thy majesty Our first obedience owe.

2 Our souls adore thy throne supreme, And bless thy providence For magistrates of meaner name, Our glory and defence.

3 [The crowns of British princes s.h.i.+ne With rays above the rest, Where laws and liberties combine To make the nation bless'd.]

4 Kingdoms on firm foundations stand, While virtue finds reward; And sinners perish from the land By justice and the sword.

5 Let Cesar's due be ever paid To Cesar and his throne; But consciences and souls were made To be the Lord's alone.

Hymn 2:150.

The deceitfulness of sin.

1 Sin has a thousand treacherous arts To practise on the mind; With flattering looks she tempts our hearts But leaves a sting behind.

2 With names of virtue she deceives The aged and the young; And while the heedless wretch believes, She makes his fetters strong.

3 She pleads for all the joys she brings, And gives a fair pretence; But cheats the soul of heavenly things, And chains it down to sense.

4 So on a tree divinely fair Grew the forbidden food; Our mother took the poison there, And tainted all her blood.

Hymn 2:151.

Prophesy and inspiration.

1 'Twas by an order from the Lord The ancient prophets spoke his word; His Spirit did their tongues inspire, And warm'd their hearts with heavenly fire.

2 The works and wonders which they wrought Confirm'd the messages they brought; The prophet's pen succeeds his breath To save the holy words from death.

3 Great G.o.d, mine eyes with pleasure look On the dear volume of thy book; There my Redeemer's face I see, And read his name who dy'd for me.

4 Let the false raptures of the mind Be lost and vanish in the wind; Here I can fix my hopes secure, This is thy word, and must endure.

Hymn 2:152.

Sinai and Sion, Heb. 12. 18 &c.

1 Not to the terrors of the Lord, The tempest, fire, and smoke, Not to the thunder of that word Which G.o.d on Sinai spoke;

2 But we are come to Sion's hill, The city of our G.o.d, Where milder words declare his will And spread his love abroad.

3 Behold th' innumerable host Of angels cloth'd in light!

Behold the spirits of the just Whose faith is turn'd to sight!

4 Behold the bless'd a.s.sembly there, Whose names are writ in heaven; And G.o.d the judge of all declares Their vilest sins forgiven.

5 The saints on earth and all the dead But one communion make; All join in Christ their living head, And of his grace partake.

6 In such society as this My weary soul would rest: The man that dwells where Jesus is, Must be for ever blest.

Hymn 2:153.

The distemper, folly, and madness of sin.

1 Sin like a venomous disease Infects our vital blood; The only balm is sovereign grace, And the physician, G.o.d.

2 Our beauty and our strength are fled, And we draw near to death; But Christ the Lord recalls the dead With his almighty breath.

3 Madness by nature reigns within, The pa.s.sions burn and rage; Till G.o.d's own Son with skill divine The inward fire a.s.suage.

4 [We lick the dust, we grasp the wind, And solid good despise; Such is the folly of the mind, Till Jesus makes us wise.

5 We give our souls the wounds they feel, We drink the poisonous gall, And rush with fury down to h.e.l.l; But heaven prevents the fall.]

6 [The man possess'd amongst the tombs, Cuts his own flesh and cries; He foams, and raves, till Jesus comes, And the foul spirit flies.]

Hymn 2:154.

Self-righteousness insufficient.

1 "Where are the mourners, [1] (saith the Lord) "That wait and tremble at my word, "That walk in darkness all the day?

"Come, make my name your trust and stay.

2 ["No works nor duties of your own "Can for the smallest sin atone; "The robes [2] that nature may provide "Will not your least pollutions hide.

3 "The softest couch that nature knows "Can give the conscience no repose: "Look to my righteousness, and live; "Comfort and peace are mine to give.]

4 "Ye sons of pride that kindle coals "With your own hands to warm your souls, "Walk in the light of your own fire, "Enjoy the sparks that ye desire.

5 "This is your portion at my hands; "h.e.l.l waits you with her iron bands, "Ye shall lie down in sorrow there, "In death, in darkness, and despair."

[1] Isaiah 1:10-11. [2] Isaiah 28:20.