The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

Now I have found the ground, wherein
Sure my soul's anchor may remain,—
The wounds of Jesus, for my sin
Before the world's foundation slain:
Whose mercy shall unshaken stay,
When heaven and earth are fled away.

Father, Thy everlasting grace
Our scanty thought surpasses far:
Thy heart still melts with tenderness,
Thy arms of love still open are
Returning sinners to receive,
That mercy they may taste, and live.

280

O Love, Thou bottomless abyss!
My sins are swallow'd up in Thee:
Cover'd is my unrighteousness,
Nor spot of guilt remains in me,
While Jesu's blood, through earth and skies,
Mercy, free, boundless mercy, cries!

With faith I plunge me in this sea;
Here is my hope, my joy, my rest:
Hither, when hell assails, I flee,
I look into my Saviour's breast!
Away, sad doubt, and anxious fear!
Mercy is all that's written there.

Though waves and storms go o'er my head,
Though strength, and health, and friends be gone,
Though joys be wither'd all, and dead,
Though every comfort be withdrawn,
On this my steadfast soul relies,
Father, Thy mercy never dies.

Fix'd on this ground will I remain,
Though my heart fail, and flesh decay:
This anchor shall my soul sustain,
When earth's foundations melt away;
Mercy's full power I then shall prove,
Loved with an everlasting love.

From the same.

[Holy Lamb, who Thee receive]

Holy Lamb, who Thee receive,
Who in Thee begin to live,

281

Day and night they cry to Thee,
As Thou art, so let us be.

Jesu, see my panting breast!
See, I pant in Thee to rest!
Gladly would I now be clean!
Cleanse me now from every sin.

Fix, O, fix my wavering mind;
To Thy cross my spirit bind;
Earthly passions far remove;
Swallow up our souls in love.

Dust and ashes, though we be
Full of guilt and misery,
Thine we are, Thou Son of God:
Take the purchase of Thy blood.

Who in heart on Thee believes,
He the' atonement now receives;
He with joy beholds Thy face,
Triumphs in Thy pardoning grace.

See, ye sinners, see, the flame
Rising from the slaughter'd Lamb,
Marks the new, the living way,
Leading to eternal day.

Jesu, when this light we see,
All our soul's athirst for Thee:
When Thy quickening power we prove,
All our heart dissolves in love.

Boundless wisdom, power Divine,
Love unspeakable are Thine!
Praise by all to Thee be given,
Sons of earth, and hosts of heaven!

282

CHRIST OUR WISDOM.

[1 Corinthians i. 30.]

Made unto me, O Lord, my God,
Wisdom Divine Thou art:
Thy light, which first my darkness show'd,
Still searches out my heart.

Thy Spirit, breathing in the word,
Gave me myself to see,
Fallen, till by Thy grace restored,
And lost, till found in Thee.

Jesus, of all my hopes the ground,
Through Thee Thy name I know,
The only name where health is found,
Whence life and blessings flow.

'Tis now by faith's enlighten'd eye,
I see Thy strange design;
See the God-man come down to die,
That God may all be mine!

Thou art the truth: I now receive
Thy unction from above;
Divinely taught, in Thee believe,
And learn the lore of love.

Still with Thy grace anoint my eyes,
Throughout my darkness shine;
O, make me to salvation wise,—
My All, be ever mine!

283

CHRIST OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

[1 Corinthians i. 30.]

Jesu, Thou art my Righteousness,
For all my sins were Thine:
Thy death hath bought of God my peace,
Thy life hath made Him mine.

Spotless and just in Thee I am;
I feel my sins forgiven;
I taste salvation in Thy name,
And antedate my heaven.

For ever here my rest shall be,
Close to Thy bleeding side;
This all my hope, and all my plea,
For me the Saviour died!

My dying Saviour, and my God,
Fountain for guilt and sin,
Sprinkle me ever in Thy blood,
And cleanse, and keep me clean.

Wash me, and make me thus Thine own;
Wash me, and mine Thou art;
Wash me, (but not my feet alone,)
My hands, my head, my heart.

The' atonement of Thy blood apply,
Till faith to sight improve,
Till hope shall in fruition die,
And all my soul be love.

284

CHRIST OUR SANCTIFICATION.

[1 Corinthians i. 30.]

Jesu! my Life, Thyself apply,
Thy Holy Spirit breathe,
My vile affections crucify,
Conform me to Thy death.

Conqueror of hell, and earth, and sin,
Still with Thy rebel strive;
Enter my soul, and work within,
And kill, and make alive.

More of Thy life, and more I have,
As the old Adam dies:
Bury me, Saviour, in Thy grave,
That I with Thee may rise.

Reign in me, Lord, Thy foes control,
Who would not own Thy sway;
Diffuse Thy image through my soul;
Shine to the perfect day.

Scatter the last remains of sin,
And seal me Thine abode;
O, make me glorious all within,
A temple built by God.

My inward holiness Thou art,
For faith hath made Thee mine:
With all Thy fulness fill my heart,
Till all I am is Thine!

285

CHRIST OUR REDEMPTION.

[1 Corinthians i. 30.]

Thee, O my great Deliverer, Thee
My Ransom, I adore:
Thy death from hell hath set me free,
And I am damn'd no more.

In Thee I sure redemption have,
The pardon of my sin;
Thy blood I find mighty to save;
Thy blood hath made me clean.

I feel the power of Jesu's name,
It breaks the captive's chain;
And men oppose, and fiends exclaim,
And sin subsists in vain.

Redeem'd from sin, its guilt and power
My soul in faith defies:
But, O! I wait the welcome hour
When this frail body dies.

Come Thou, my dear Redeemer, come,
Let me my life resign;
O, take Thy ransom'd servant home,
And make me wholly Thine.

Fully redeem'd, I fain would rise
In soul and body free,
And mount to meet Thee in the skies,
And ever reign with Thee.

286

“IT IS VERY MEET, RIGHT, AND OUR BOUNDEN DUTY,

THAT WE SHOULD AT ALL TIMES, AND IN ALL PLACES, GIVE THANKS UNTO THEE, O LORD, HOLY FATHER, ALMIGHTY, EVERLASTING GOD.”

Meet and right it is to sing
Glory to our God and King;
Meet in every time and place,
Right to show forth all Thy praise.

Sing we now in duty bound,
Echo the triumphant sound,
Publish it through earth abroad,
Praise the everlasting God.

Praises here to Thee we give,
Here our open thanks receive,
Holy Father, Sovereign Lord,
Always, everywhere adored.

Sons of Belial, hear the cry,
Loud as ye our God defy:
You can glory in your shame;
Shall not we our God proclaim?

You can brave the' eternal laws,
Zealous in your master's cause:
Jesu! shall Thy servants be
Less resolved and bold for Thee?

No, though men and fiends exclaim,
Sing we still in Jesu's name;
Jesus will we ever bless,
Thee before Thy foes confess.

287

Silent have we been too long,
Awed by earth's rebellious throng;
Should we still to sing deny,
Lord, the very stones would cry

Hallelujah!

HYMN FOR THE KINGSWOOD COLLIERS.

Glory to God, whose sovereign grace
Hath animated senseless stones,
Call'd us to stand before His face,
And raised us into Abraham's sons.

The people that in darkness lay,
In sin and error's deadly shade,
Have seen a glorious Gospel day,
In Jesu's lovely face display'd.

Thou only, Lord, the work hast done,
And bared Thine arm in all our sight;
Hast made the reprobates Thy own,
And claim'd the outcasts as Thy right.

Thy single arm, Almighty Lord,
To us the great salvation brought;
Thy Word, Thy all-creating Word,
That spake at first the world from nought.

288

For this the saints lift up their voice,
And ceaseless praise to Thee is given;
For this the hosts above rejoice:
We raise the happiness of heaven.

For this, no longer sons of night,
To Thee our thanks and hearts we give;
To Thee who call'd us into light,
To Thee we die, to Thee we live.

Suffice that for the season past
Hell's horrid language fill'd our tongues,
We all Thy words behind us cast,
And loudly sang the drunkard's songs.

But, O the power of grace Divine!
In hymns we now our voices raise,
Loudly in strange hosannas join,
And blasphemies are turn'd to praise!

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

TO BE SUNG WHILE AT WORK.

Give we to the Lord above
Blessing, honour, praise, and love;
To the God that loosed our tongue
Sing we an unwonted song.

He to us hath come unsought,
Us hath out of darkness brought;
Darkness such as devils feel,
Issuing from the pit of hell.

289

Had He not in mercy spared,
Hell had been our sure reward;
There we had received our hire,
Fuel of eternal fire.

But we now extol His name,
Pluck'd as firebrands from the flame,
Proofs of His unbounded grace,
Monuments of endless praise.

We are now in Jesus found;
With His praise let earth resound,
Tell it out through all her caves,
Jesu's name the sinner saves.

With His blood He us hath bought;
His we are, who once were not;
Far, as hell from heaven, removed,
He hath call'd us His beloved.

Sing we then with one accord
Praises to our loving Lord;
Who the stone to flesh converts,
Let us give Him all our hearts.

Harder were they than the rock,
Till they felt His mercy's stroke;
Gushing streams did then arise
From the fountains of our eyes.

Never let them cease to flow,
Since we now our Jesus know;
Let us, till we meet above,
Sing, and pray, and weep, and love.

290

ISAIAH XXXV.

Heavenly Father, Sovereign Lord,
Ever faithful to Thy word,
Humbly we our seal set to,
Testify that Thou art true.

Lo! for us the wilds are glad,
All in cheerful green array'd;
Opening sweets they all disclose,
Bud and blossom as the rose.

Hark! the wastes have found a voice,
Lonely deserts now rejoice,
Gladsome hallelujahs sing,
All around with praises ring.

Lo! abundantly they bloom,
Lebanon is hither come,
Carmel's stores the heavens dispense,
Sharon's fertile excellence.

See these barren souls of ours
Bloom, and put forth fruits and flowers,—
Flowers of Eden, fruits of grace,
Peace, and joy, and righteousness.

We behold (the abjects we)
Christ, the' incarnate Deity,—
Christ in whom Thy glories shine,
Excellence of strength Divine.

Ye that tremble at His frown,
He shall lift your hands cast down;
Christ who all your weakness sees,
He shall prop your feeble knees.

291

Ye of fearful hearts, be strong,
Jesus will not tarry long;
Fear not, lest His truth should fail,
Jesus is unchangeable.

God, your God, shall surely come,
Quell your foes, and seal their doom;
He shall come, and save you too:
We, O Lord, have found Thee true.

Blind we were, but now we see,
Deaf—we hearken now to Thee,
Dumb—for Thee our tongues employ,
Lame—and, lo! we leap for joy!

Faint we were, and parch'd with drought
Water at Thy word gush'd out;
Streams of grace our thirst refresh,
Starting from the wilderness.

Still we gasp Thy grace to know;
Here for ever let it flow,
Make the thirsty land a pool,
Fix the Spirit in our soul.

Where the ancient dragon lay,
Open for Thyself a way;
There let holy tempers rise,
All the fruits of paradise.

Lead us in the way of peace,
In the path of righteousness,
Never by the sinner trod,
Till he feels the cleansing blood.

There the simple cannot stray;
Babes, though blind, may find their way,—

292

Find, nor ever thence depart,
Safe in lowliness of heart.

Far from fear, from danger far,
No devouring beast is there;
There the humble walk secure,
God hath made their footsteps sure.

Jesu, mighty to redeem,
Let our lot be cast with them;
Far from earth our souls remove,
Ransom'd by Thy dying love.

Leave us not below to mourn;
Fain we would to Thee return,
Crown'd with righteousness arise
Far above these nether skies.

Come, and all our sorrows chase,
Wipe the tears from every face;
Gladness let us now obtain,
Partners of Thy endless reign.

Death, the latest foe, destroy;
Sorrow then shall yield to joy,
Gloomy grief shall flee away,
Swallow'd up in endless day.

FOR A MINISTER.

Ah, my dear Master! can it be
That I should lose by serving Thee?
In seeking souls should lose my own,
And others save, myself undone?

293

Yet am I lost, (shouldst Thou depart,)
Betray'd by this deceitful heart;
Destroy'd, if Thou my labour bless,
And ruin'd by my own success.

Hide me! If Thou refuse to hide,
I fall a sacrifice to pride:
I cannot shun the fowler's snare,
The fiery test I cannot bear.

Helpless to Thee for aid I cry,
Unable to resist or fly:
I must not, Lord, the task decline,
For all I have and am is Thine.

And well Thou know'st I did not seek,
Uncall'd of God, for God to speak:
The dreadful charge I sought to flee;
“Send whom Thou wilt, but send not me.”

Long did my coward flesh delay,
And still I tremble to obey;
“Thy will be done,” I faintly cry,
“But rather—suffer me to die.”

Ah! rescue me from earth and sin,
Fightings without, and fears within;
More, more than hell myself I dread;
Ah! cover my defenceless head!

Surely Thou wilt. Thou canst not send,
And not my helpless soul defend;
Call me to stand in danger's hour,
And not support me with Thy power.

Lord, I believe the promise true,
“Behold, I always am with you:”

294

Always if Thou with me remain,
Hell, earth, and sin shall rage in vain.

Give me Thine all-sufficient grace:—
Then hurl your fiery darts of praise;
Jesus and me ye ne'er shall part,
For God is greater than my heart.

AT SETTING OUT TO PREACH THE GOSPEL.

Angel of God, whate'er betide,
Thy summons I obey;
Jesus, I take Thee for my Guide,
And walk in Thee my Way.

Secure from danger and from dread,
Nor earth nor hell shall move,
Since over me Thy hand hath spread
The banner of Thy love.

To leave my Captain I disdain,
Behind I will not stay,
Though shame, and loss, and bonds, and pain,
And death obstruct the way.

Me to Thy suffering Self conform,
And arm me with Thy power;
Then burst the cloud, descend the storm,
And come the fiery hour!

Then shall I bear Thy utmost will,
When first the strength is given:—
Come, foolish world, my body kill,
And drive my soul to heaven!

295

ACTS IV. 24, &c.

Almighty, universal Lord,
Maker of heaven and earth art Thou;
All things sprang forth to' obey Thy word,
Thy powerful word upholds them now.

Why then with unavailing rage
Did heathens with Thy people join,
And impotently fierce engage
To execute their vain design?

Indignant kings stood up to' oppose
The Lord, and His Messiah's reign;
And earth's confederate rulers rose
Against their God in council vain.

Surely against Thy holy Son
(Son of Thy love, and sent by Thee,
One with the' Anointing Spirit, One
With Thy co-equal Majesty)

Herod and Pilate both combined
Thy sovereign purpose to fulfil;
Gentiles and Jews unconscious join'd
To' accomplish Thy eternal will.

And now their idle fury view,
And now behold their threatenings, Lord;
Behold Thy faithful servants too,
And strengthen us to speak Thy word.

Embolden by Thine outstretch'd arm,
Fill us with confidence Divine,
With heavenly zeal our bosoms warm,
That all may own the work is Thine;

296

May see the tokens of Thy hand,
Its sovereign grace, its healing power,
No more their happiness withstand,
And fight against their God no more.

Now let their opposition cease,
Now let them catch the quickening flame,
And, forced to yield, the signs increase,
The wonders wrought by Jesu's name.

TO BE SUNG IN A TUMULT.

Earth, rejoice; the Lord is King!
Sons of men, His praises sing;
Sing ye in triumphant strains,
Jesus our Messiah reigns!

Power is all to Jesus given,
Lord of hell, and earth, and heaven,
Every knee to Him shall bow:—
Satan, hear, and tremble now!

Roaring lion, own His power:
Us thou never canst devour;
Pluck'd we are out of thy teeth,
Saved by Christ from hell and death.

Though thou bruise in us His heel,
Sorer vengeance shalt thou feel:
Christ, the woman's conquering Seed,
Christ in us shall bruise thy head.

Though the floods lift up their voice,
Calm we hear thy children's noise;
Horribly they rage in vain;
God is mightier than man.

297

Jesus greater we proclaim,
Him in us, than thee in them:
Thee their god He overpowers;
Thou art theirs, and Christ is ours.

Strong in Christ, we thee defy,
Dare thee all thy force to try;
Work in them, the slaves of sin,
Stir up all thy hell within;

All Thy hosts to battle bring:
Shouts in us a stronger King,
Lifts our hearts and voices high:—
Hark, the morning stars reply!

Angels and archangels join,
All triumphantly combine,
All in Jesu's praise agree,
Carrying on His victory.

Though the sons of night blaspheme,
More there are with us than them;
God with us, we cannot fear:—
Fear, ye fiends, for Christ is here!

Lo! to faith's enlighten'd sight
All the mountain flames with light!
Hell is nigh, but God is nigher,
Circling us with hosts of fire.

Our Messias is come down,
Points us to the victor's crown,
Bids us take our seats above,
More than conquerors in His love.

Yes; the future work is done,
Christ the Saviour reigns alone,

298

Forces Satan to submit,
Bruises him beneath our feet.

We the evil angels doom,
Antedate the joys to come,
See the dear Redeemer's face,
Saved, already saved by grace!

“LITTLE CHILDREN, LOVE ONE ANOTHER.”

Giver of concord, Prince of peace,
Meek, lamb-like Son of God,
Bid our unruly passions cease;
O, quench them with Thy blood!

Rebuke the seas, the tempest chide,
Our stubborn wills control,
Beat down our wrath, root out our pride,
And calm our troubled soul.

Subdue in us the carnal mind,
Its enmity destroy;
With cords of love the' old Adam bind,
And melt him into joy.

Us into closest union draw,
And in our inward parts
Let kindness sweetly write her law,
Let love command our hearts.

O, let Thy love our hearts constrain!
Jesus the Crucified,
What hast Thou done our hearts to gain!
Languish'd, and groan'd, and died!

299

Who would not now pursue the way
Where Jesu's footsteps shine?
Who would not own the pleasing sway
Of charity Divine?

Saviour, look down with pitying eyes,
Our jarring wills control;
Let cordial, kind affections rise,
And harmonise the soul.

Thee let us feel benignly near,
With all Thy quickening powers;
The sounding of Thy bowels hear,
And answer Thee with ours.

O, let us find the ancient way
Our wondering foes to move,
And force the heathen world to say,
“See how these Christians love!”

FOR THE ANNIVERSARY DAY OF ONE'S CONVERSION.

Glory to God, and praise, and love
Be ever, ever given,
By saints below, and saints above,
The church in earth and heaven.

On this glad day the glorious Sun
Of Righteousness arose;
On my benighted soul He shone,
And fill'd it with repose.

Sudden expired the legal strife;
'Twas then I ceased to grieve;
My second, real, living life
I then began to live.

300

Then with my heart I first believed,
Believed with faith Divine;
Power with the Holy Ghost received
To call the Saviour mine.

I felt my Lord's atoning blood
Close to my soul applied;
Me, me He loved—the Son of God
For me, for me He died!

I found, and own'd His promise true,
Ascertain'd of my part;
My pardon pass'd in heaven I knew,
When written on my heart.

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My dear Redeemer's praise!
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace.

My gracious Master, and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honours of Thy name.

Jesus, the name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
'Tis music in the sinner's ears,
'Tis life, and health, and peace!

He breaks the power of cancell'd sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood avail'd for me.

He speaks; and, listening to His voice,
New life the dead receive,
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
The humble poor believe.

301

Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,
Your loosen'd tongues employ;
Ye blind, behold your Saviour come;
And leap, ye lame, for joy.

Look unto Him, ye nations; own
Your God, ye fallen race!
Look, and be saved through faith alone;
Be justified by grace!

See all your sins on Jesus laid;
The Lamb of God was slain,
His soul was once an offering made
For every soul of man.

Harlots, and publicans, and thieves
In holy triumph join;
Saved is the sinner that believes
From crimes as great as mine.

Murderers, and all ye hellish crew,
Ye sons of lust and pride,
Believe the Saviour died for you;
For me the Saviour died.

Awake from guilty nature's sleep,
And Christ shall give you light,
Cast all your sins into the deep,
And wash the Ethiop white.

With me, your chief, you then shall know,
Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below,
And own that love is heaven.

302

TO BE SUNG AT MEALS.

Come, let us lengthen out the feast,
To thankfulness improve;
God in His gifts delight to taste,
And pay them back in love.

His Providence supplies our needs,
And life and strength imparts;
His open hand our bodies feeds,
And fills with joy our hearts.

But will He not our souls sustain,
And nourish with His grace?
Yes; for Thou wilt not say in vain,
“My people, seek My face.”

See, then, we take Thee at Thy word,
With confidence draw nigh;
We claim, and of Thy Spirit, Lord,
Expect a fresh supply.

The sinner, when he comes to Thee,
His fond pursuits gives o'er;
From nature's sickly cravings free,
He pines for earth no more.

Lord, we believe; and taste Thee good,
Thee all-sufficient own,
And hunger after heavenly food,
And thirst for God alone.

BEFORE A JOURNEY.

Forth at Thy call, O Lord, I go,
Thy counsel to fulfil:
'Tis all my business here below,
Father, to do Thy will.

303

To do Thy will, while here I make
My short, unfix'd abode,
An everlasting home I seek,
A city built by God.

O, when shall I my Canaan gain,
The land of promised ease,
And leave this world of sin and pain,
This howling wilderness!

Come to my help, come quickly, Lord,
For whom alone I sigh;
O, let me hear the gracious word,
And get me up, and die!

ANOTHER.

[Angels, attend, ('tis God commands,)]

Angels, attend, ('tis God commands,)
And make me now your care;
Hover around, and in your hands
My soul securely bear.

With outstretch'd wings my temples shade;
To you the charge is given:
Are ye not all sent forth to aid
The' anointed heirs of heaven?

Servants of God, both yours and mine,
Your fellow-servant guard:
Sweet is the task, if He enjoin,
His service your reward.

Then let us join our God to bless,
Our Master's praise to sing,
The Lord of Hosts, the Prince of Peace,
Our Father and our King.

304

At Him my mounting spirit aims,
My kindling thoughts aspire:
(Assist, ye ministerial flames,
And raise my raptures higher!)

Upward on wings of love I fly
Where all His glories blaze;
Like you, behold with eagle's eye
My heavenly Father's face.

ON A JOURNEY.

Saviour, who ready art to hear,
(Readier than I to pray,)
Answer my scarcely utter'd prayer,
And meet me on the way.

Talk with me, Lord: Thyself reveal,
While here o'er earth I rove;
Speak to my heart, and let it feel
The kindling of Thy love:

With Thee conversing, I forget
All time, and toil, and care;
Labour is rest, and pain is sweet,
If Thou, my God, art here.

Here then, my God, vouchsafe to stay,
And make my heart rejoice;
My bounding heart shall own Thy sway,
And echo to Thy voice.

Thou callest me to seek Thy face—
'Tis all I wish to seek,
To' attend the whispers of Thy grace,
And hear Thee inly speak.

305

Let this my every hour employ,
Till I Thy glory see,
Enter into my Master's joy,
And find my heaven in Thee.

AFTER A JOURNEY.

Thou, Lord, hast blest my going out;
O, bless my coming in!
Compass my weakness round about,
And keep me safe from sin.

Still hide me in Thy secret place,
Thy tabernacle spread,
Shelter me with preserving grace,
And guard my naked head.

To Thee for refuge may I run
From sin's alluring snare;
Ready its first approach to shun,
And watching unto prayer.

O that I never, never more
Might from Thy ways depart!
Here let me give my wanderings o'er,
By giving Thee my heart.

Fix my new heart on things above,
And then from earth release:
I ask not life; but let me love,
And lay me down in peace.

306

AT LYING DOWN.

How do Thy mercies close me round!
For ever be Thy name adored!
I blush in all things to abound;
The servant is above his Lord.

Inured to poverty and pain,
A suffering life my Master led;
The Son of God, the Son of Man,
He had not where to lay His head.

But, lo! a place He hath prepared
For me, whom watchful angels keep;
Nay, He Himself becomes my Guard,
He smooths my bed, and gives me sleep.

Jesus protects; my fears, be gone!
What can the Rock of Ages move?
Safe in Thy arms I lay me down,
Thy everlasting arms of love!

While Thou art intimately nigh,
Who, who shall violate my rest?
Sin, earth, and hell I now defy;
I lean upon my Saviour's breast.

I rest beneath the' Almighty's shade;
My griefs expire, my troubles cease;
Thou, Lord, on whom my soul is stay'd,
Wilt keep me still in perfect peace.

Me for Thine own Thou lov'st to take,
In time and in eternity;
Thou never, never wilt forsake
A helpless worm that trusts in Thee.

307

Wherefore in confidence I close
My eyes, for Thine are open still;
My spirit, lull'd in calm repose,
Waits for the counsels of Thy will.

After Thy likeness let me rise,
If here Thou will'st my longer stay;
Or close in mortal sleep my eyes,
To open them in endless day.

Still let me run, or end my race;
I cannot choose, I all resign;
Contract or lengthen out my days;
Come life, come death; for Christ is mine.

GROANING FOR THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION.

Father, if Thou my Father art,
Send forth the Spirit of Thy Son,
Breathe Him into my panting heart,
And make me know as I am known:
Make me Thy conscious child, that I
May, “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.

I want the Spirit of power within,
Of love, and of an healthful mind;
Of power to conquer inbred sin,
Of love to Thee and all mankind;
Of health, that pain and death defies,
Most vigorous when the body dies.

When shall I hear the inward voice,
Which only faithful souls can hear!
Pardon, and peace, and heavenly joys
Attend the promised Comforter:

308

He comes! And righteousness Divine,
And Christ, and all with Christ is mine!

O that the Comforter would come,
Nor visit as a transient guest,
But fix in me His constant home,
And take possession of my breast,
And make my soul His loved abode,
The temple of indwelling God!

Come, Holy Ghost, my heart inspire,
Attest that I am born again!
Come, and baptize me now with fire,
Or all Thy former gifts are vain.
I cannot rest in sin forgiven;
Where is the earnest of my heaven?

Where the Indubitable Seal
That ascertains the kingdom mine?
The powerful stamp I long to feel,
The signature of Love Divine:
O, shed it in my heart abroad,
Fulness of love, of heaven, of God!

UNIVERSAL REDEMPTION.

Father, whose hand on all bestows
Sufficiency of saving grace;
Whose universal love o'erflows
The whole of Adam's fallen race;

309

Within no narrow bounds confined,
The vast, unfathomable sea
Swells, and embraces all mankind;—
For, O my God, it reach'd to me!

If I could hear Thy quickening call,
Then all may seek, and find Thee too;
Surely Thou loving art to all,
And I stand forth to prove it true.

Was there a man Thou doom'st to die,
How justly then might I despair!
For who so vile a wretch as I?
For who so bold his God to dare?

Was there a single soul decreed
Thy unrelenting hate to know,
Then I were he—and well might dread
The horrors of eternal woe.

But, O, in vain the tempter tries
To shake the Rock that ne'er shall move;
My steadfast soul His power defies,
Secure in this, that God is love.

Whoe'er admits; my soul disowns
The image of a torturing God,
Well-pleased with human shrieks and groans,
A fiend, a Molock gorged with blood!

Good God! that any child of Thine
So horribly should think of Thee!
Lo! all my hopes I here resign,
If all may not find grace with me.

310

If fury can in Thee have place,
Empty it on my helpless head;
Cut off, exclude me from Thy grace,
Unless for all the Saviour bled.

If all may not Thy mercy claim,
On me the vengeful bolt let fall;
Take back my interest in the Lamb,
Unless the Victim died for all.

ANOTHER.

[Hear, holy, holy, holy Lord]

Hear, holy, holy, holy Lord,
Father of all mankind,
Spirit of truth, eternal Word,
In mystic union join'd!

Hear, and inspire my stammering tongue,
Exalt my abject thought,
Speak from my mouth a sacred song,
Who spak'st the world from nought.

Thy darling attribute I praise,
Which all alike may prove,—
The glory of Thy boundless grace,
Thy universal love.

311

Mercy I sing, transporting sound,
The joy of earth and heaven!
Mercy, by every sinner found,
Who takes what God hath given.

Mercy for all Thy hands have made,
Immense, and unconfined,
Throughout Thy every work display'd,
Embracing all mankind.

Thine eye survey'd the fallen race,
When sunk in sin they lay;
Their misery call'd for all Thy grace,
But justice stopp'd the way.

Mercy the fatal bar removed;
Thy only Son it gave,
To save a world so dearly loved,
A sinful world to save.

For every man He tasted death,
He suffer'd once for all;
He calls as many souls as breathe,
And all may hear the call.

A power to choose, a will to' obey,
Freely His grace restores;
We all may find the living way,
And call the Saviour ours.

Whom His eternal mind foreknew,
That they the power would use,
Ascribe to God the glory due,
And not His grace refuse;

312

Them, only them His will decreed,
Them did He choose alone,
Ordain'd in Jesu's steps to tread,
And to be like His Son.

Them, the elect, consenting few,
Who yield to proffer'd love,
Justified here, He forms anew,
And glorifies above.

For as in Adam all have died,
So all in Christ may live,
May (for the world is justified)
His righteousness receive.

Whoe'er to God for pardon fly,
In Christ may be forgiven:
He speaks to all, “Why will ye die,
And not accept My heaven?”

No! in the death of him that dies
(God by His life hath sworn)
He is not pleased; but ever cries,
“Turn, O ye sinners, turn.”

He would that all His truths should own,
His Gospel all embrace,
Be justified by faith alone,
And freely saved by grace.

And shall I, Lord, confine Thy love,
As not to others free?
And may not every sinner prove
The grace that found out me?

313

Doubtless through one eternal now
Thou ever art the same;
The universal Saviour Thou,
And Jesus is Thy name.

Ho! every one that thirsteth, come!
Choose life; obey the Word;
Open your hearts to make Him room,
And banquet with your Lord.

When God invites, shall man repel?
Shall man the' exception make?
“Come, freely come, whoever will,
And living water take.”

Thou bidd'st; and wouldst Thou bid us choose,
When purposed not to save?
Command us all a power to use
Thy mercy never gave?

Thou canst not mock the sons of men;
Invite us to draw nigh,
Offer Thy grace to all, and then
Thy grace to most deny!

Horror to think that God is hate!
Fury in God can dwell!
God could an helpless world create,
To thrust them into hell!

Doom them an endless death to die,
From which they could not flee:—
No, Lord! Thine inmost bowels cry
Against the dire decree!

314

Believe who will that human pain
Pleasing to God can prove:
Let Molock feast him with the slain;
Our God, we know, is love.

Lord, if indeed, without a bound,
Infinite Love Thou art,
The horrible decree confound,
Enlarge Thy people's heart!

Ah! who is as Thy servants blind,
So to misjudge their God!
Scatter the darkness of their mind,
And shed Thy love abroad.

Give them conceptions worthy Thee,
Give them, in Jesu's face,
Thy merciful design to see,
Thy all-redeeming grace.

Stir up Thy strength, and help us, Lord;
The preachers multiply;
Send forth Thy light, and give the word,
And let the shadows fly.

O! if Thy Spirit send forth me,
The meanest of the throng,
I'll sing Thy grace divinely free,
And teach mankind the song.

Grace will I sing, through Jesu's name,
On all mankind bestow'd;
The everlasting truth proclaim,
And seal that truth with blood.

315

Come then, Thou all-embracing Love,
Our frozen bosom warm;
Dilating fire, within us move,
With truth and meekness arm.

Let us triumphantly ride on,
And more than conquerors prove;
With meekness bear the' opposers down,
And bind with cords of love.

Shine in their hearts, Father of Light;
Jesu, Thy beams impart;
Spirit of Truth, our minds unite,
And keep us one in heart.

Then, only then our eyes shall see
Thy promised kingdom come;
And every heart, by grace set free,
Shall make the Saviour room.

Thee every tongue shall then confess,
And every knee shall bow:
Come quickly, Lord; we wait Thy grace,
We long to meet Thee now.

HYMN TO CHRIST THE PROPHET.

Prophet, on earth bestow'd,
A Teacher sent from God,
Thee we welcome from above;
Sent the Father to reveal,
Sent to manifest His love,
Sent to teach His perfect will.

316

Thee all the seers of old
Prefigured and foretold:
Moses Thee the Prophet show'd,
Meek and lowly as Thou art,
Abraham, the friend of God,
David, after His own heart.

The lesser stars that shone,
Till Thy great course begun,
With imparted lustre bright,
Render'd back their borrow'd ray,
Pointing to Thy perfect light,
Ushering in Thy glorious day.

Light of the world below,
Thee all mankind may know;
Thou, the universal Friend,
Into every soul hast shone:
O that all would comprehend,
All adore the rising Sun!

Thy cheering beams we bless,
Bright Sun of Righteousness:
Life and immortality
Thou alone to light hast brought,
Bid the new creation be,
Call'd the world of grace from nought.

Image of God Most High
Display'd to mortal eye,
Thee the patriarchs beheld,
Thee the Angel they adored,
Oft in diverse ways reveal'd
Christ the everlasting Lord.

317

Thy Godhead we revere,
Wonderful Counsellor!
Thou the Father's Wisdom art;
Great Apostle, Thee we praise;
Chose Thy people to convert,
Jacob's fallen tribes to raise.

The Gentiles too may see
Their covenant in Thee;
Opener of their blinded eyes,
Thee the gracious Father gave:
Rise on all, in glory rise,
Save a world Thou cam'st to save.

For this the heavenly Dove
Descended from above;
He, immeasurably shed,
Christ the Prophet mark'd and seal'd;
Pour'd upon Thy sacred head,
Thee the' Anointing Spirit fill'd.

Ah, give us, Lord, to know
Thy office here below:
Preach deliverance to the poor;
Sent for this, O Christ, Thou art:
Jesu, all our sickness cure;
Bind Thou up the broken heart.

Publish the joyful year
Of God's acceptance near;
Preach glad tidings to the meek,
Liberty to spirits bound;
General, free redemption speak;
Spread through earth the Gospel-sound.

318

Humbly, behold, we sit,
And listen at Thy feet;
Never will we hence remove;
Lo! to Thee our souls we bow:
Tell us of the Father's love;
Speak; for, Lord, we hear Thee now.

Master, to us reveal
His acceptable will:
Ever for Thy law we wait;
Write it in our inward parts,
Our dark minds illuminate,
Grave Thy kindness on our hearts.

Thine be the choicest store
Of blessings evermore!
Thee we hear, on Thee we gaze,
Fairer than the sons of men:
Who can see that lovely face,
Who can hear those words in vain?

Spirit they are, and life,
They end the sinner's strife:
God they show benign and mild;
Glory be to God on high!
Now we know Him reconciled,
Now we, “Abba, Father,” cry!

Thou art the Truth, the Way:
O, teach us how to pray!
Worship spiritual and true
Still instruct us how to give;
Let us pay the service due,
Let us to God's glory live.

319

Holy and true, the key
Of David rests on Thee.
Come, Messias, all things tell,
Make us to salvation wise,
Shut the gates of death and hell,
Open, open paradise.

Servant of God, confess
His truth and faithfulness;
God, the gracious God proclaim,
Publish Him through earth abroad;
Let the Gentiles know Thy name,
Let us all be taught of God.

Witness, within us place
The Spirit of His grace;
Teach us inwardly, and guide
By an unction from above;
Let it in our hearts abide,
Source of light, and life, and love.

Pronounce our happy doom,
And show us things to come:
All the depths of love display,
All the mystery unfold;
Speak us seal'd to Thy great day,
In the Book of Life enroll'd.

Shepherd, securely keep
Thy little flock of sheep;
Call'd and gather'd into one,
Feed us, in green pastures feed,
Make us quietly lie down,
By the streams of comfort lead.

320

Thou, even Thou art He
Whom pain and sorrow flee:
Comforter of all that mourn,
Let us by Thy guidance come,
Crown'd with endless joy return
To our everlasting home.

THE BACKSLIDER'S CONFESSION.

“Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.”

When I was a little child,
O, what sweetness did I prove?
Then on me my Father smiled,
Clasp'd me in the arms of love;
Bore me all my infant days,
Gently by His Spirit led,
Dandled me upon His knees,
Made me on His promise feed.

But, alas! I soon rebell'd,
Would not cast on Him my care;
Swell'd with pride, with passion swell'd,
I could neither fall nor err.
I was strong and able grown,
I could for myself provide,
I had wisdom of my own:
Let the weaker seek a guide.

321

When to Him I would not look,
Grieved and hardly forced away,
Me my Guide at length forsook,
Me my Father left to stray.
Angrily He hid His face:
Careless of His smile or frown,
I pursued my evil ways,
Frowardly in sin went on.

Back recall'd, I know not how,
Father, I my folly mourn:
If Thou art my Father now,
Now assist me to return.
Freely my backslidings heal,
Once again become my Guide;
Save me from my wayward will,
Empty of myself and pride.

Thou who all my ways hast seen,
Since I would from Thee depart,
Suffer me no more to lean
To my own deceitful heart.
O, repair my grievous loss,
Comfort to my soul restore:
Once a little child I was:
Lift me up to fall no more.

Give me back my innocence,
Give me back my filial fears,
Humble, loving confidence,
Praying sighs, and speaking tears.
Weak and helpless may I be,
To Thy only will resign'd,
Ever hanging upon Thee,
Simple, ignorant, and blind.

322

Abba, Father! Hear my cry,
Look upon Thy weeping child:
Weeping at Thy feet I lie;
Kiss me, and be reconciled:
Take me up into Thine arms,
Let me hang upon Thy breast,
Hide me there secure from harms,
Lull my sorrowing soul to rest.

AT THE APPROACH OF TEMPTATION.

God of my life, whose gracious power
Through various deaths my soul hath led,
Or turn'd aside the fatal hour,
Or lifted up my sinking head;

In all my ways Thy hand I own,
Thy ruling providence I see:
O, help me still my course to run,
And still direct my paths to Thee.

On Thee my helpless soul is cast,
And looks again Thy grace to prove:
I call to mind the wonders past,
The countless wonders of Thy love.

Thou, Lord, my spirit oft hast stay'd,
Hast snatch'd me from the gaping tomb,
A monument of mercy made,
And rescued me from wrath to come.

323

Oft hath the sea confess'd Thy power,
And gave me back to Thy command:
It could not, Lord, my life devour,
Safe in the hollow of Thy hand.

Oft from the margin of the grave
Thou, Lord, hast lifted up my head:
Sudden I found Thee near to save;
The fever own'd Thy touch, and fled.

But, O! the mightier work of grace,
That still the life of faith I live,
That still I pant to sing Thy praise,
That still my all I gasp to give!

Pluck'd from the roaring lion's teeth,
Caught up from the eternal fire,
Snatch'd from the gates of hell, I breathe,
And, lo! to heaven I still aspire!

Whither, O, whither should I fly,
But to my loving Saviour's breast?
Secure within Thy arms to lie,
And safe beneath Thy wings to rest.

I see the fiery trial near;
But Thou, my God, art still the same:
Hell, earth, and sin I scorn to fear,
Divinely arm'd with Jesu's Name.

I have no skill the snare to shun,
But Thou, O Christ, my wisdom art:
I ever into ruin run,
But Thou art greater than my heart.

324

I have no might to' oppose the foe,
But everlasting strength is Thine.
Show me the way that I should go,
Show me the path I should decline.

Which shall I leave, and which pursue?
Thou only my Adviser be;
My God, I know not what to do;
But, O! mine eyes are fix'd on Thee!

Foolish, and impotent, and blind,
Lead me a way I have not known;
Bring me where I my heaven may find,
The heaven of loving Thee alone.

Enlarge my heart to make Thee room;
Enter, and in me ever stay:
The crooked then shall straight become,
The darkness shall be lost in day!

IN TEMPTATION.

Where, my soul, is now thy boast?
Where the sense of sin forgiven?
Destitute, tormented, lost,
Down the stream of nature driven,
Crush'd by sin's redoubled load;
Where, my soul, is now thy God?

Far from me my God is gone,
All my joys with Him are fled,
Every comfort is withdrawn,
Peace is lost, and hope is dead;
Sin, and only sin I feel,
Pride and lust, self-will and hell.

325

Did I then my soul deceive?
Rashly claim a part in Thee?
Did I, Lord, in vain believe,
Falsely hope Thou diedst for me?
Must I back my hopes restore,
Trust Thou diedst for me no more?

No—I never will resign
What of Thee by faith I know;
Never cease to call Thee mine,
Never will I let Thee go:
Be it I my soul deceive,
Yet I will, I will believe.

Though I groan beneath Thy frown,
Hence I will not, cannot fly;
Though Thy justice cast me down,
At thy mercy-seat I lie;
Let me here my sentence meet,
Let me perish at Thy feet!

JOB XXIII. 8, 9, 10.

Forward I now in duties go,
But, O! my Saviour is not there!
Heavy He makes me drive, and slow,
Without the chariot-wheels of prayer.

I look to former times, and strain
The footsteps of my God to trace;
Backward I go (but still in vain)
To find the tokens of His grace.

326

Surrounded by His power I stand,
His work on other souls I see,
He deals His gifts on either hand,
But still He hides Himself from me.

Groaning I languish at His stay,
But He regards my every groan;
Dark and disconsolate my way,
But still my way to Him is known.

When fully He my faith hath tried,
Like gold I in the fire shall shine,
Come forth when seven times purified,
And strongly bear the stamp Divine.

AFTER A RELAPSE INTO SIN.

My God, my God, on Thee I call,
Thee only would I know:
One drop of blood on me let fall,
And wash me white as snow.

Touch me, and make the leper clean,
Purge my iniquity:
Unless Thou wash my soul from sin,
I have no part in Thee.

But art Thou not already mine?
Answer, if mine Thou art!
Whisper within, Thou Love Divine,
And cheer my doubting heart.

Tell me again, my peace is made,
And bid the sinner live:
The debt's discharged, the ransom's paid,
My Father must forgive.

327

Father, forgive Thy froward child;
I ask in Jesu's name;
I languish to be reconciled,—
And reconciled I am.

Behold, for me the Victim bleeds,
His wounds are open'd wide;
For me the blood of sprinkling pleads,
And speaks me justified.

O, why did I my Saviour leave,
So soon unfaithful prove?
How could I Thy good Spirit grieve,
And sin against Thy love?

I forced Thee first to disappear,
I turn'd Thy face aside.
Ah! Lord, if Thou hadst still been here,
Thy servant had not died.

But, O! how soon Thy wrath is o'er
And pardoning love takes place!
Assist me, Saviour, to adore
The riches of Thy grace.

O, could I lose myself in Thee!
Thy depth of mercy prove,
Thou vast unfathomable sea
Of unexhausted love!

My humbled soul, when Thou art near,
In dust and ashes lies:
How shall a sinful worm appear,
Or meet Thy purer eyes?

328

I loathe myself, when God I see,
And into nothing fall;
Content if Thou exalted be,
And Christ be all in all.

AGAINST HOPE, BELIEVING IN HOPE.

My God! I know, I feel Thee mine,
And will not quit my claim,
Till all I have be lost in Thine,
And all renew'd I am.

I hold Thee with a trembling hand,
I will not let Thee go,
Till steadfastly by faith I stand,
And all Thy goodness know.

When shall I see the welcome hour
That plants my God in me!
Spirit of health, and life, and power,
And perfect liberty!

Jesu, Thy all-victorious love
Shed in my heart abroad;
Then shall my feet no longer rove,
Rooted and fix'd in God.

Love only can the conquest win,
The strength of sin subdue,
(Mine own unconquerable sin,)
And form my soul anew.

329

Love can bow down the stubborn neck,
The stone to flesh convert,
Soften, and melt, and pierce, and break
An adamantine heart.

O that in me the sacred fire
Might now begin to glow,
Burn up the dross of base desire,
And make the mountains flow!

O that it now from heaven might fall,
And all my sins consume!
Come, Holy Ghost, for Thee I call;
Spirit of burning, come!

Refining fire, go through my heart,
Illuminate my soul,
Scatter Thy life through every part,
And sanctify the whole.

Sorrow and sin shall then expire;
While, enter'd into rest,
I only live my God to' admire,
My God for ever blest.

No longer then my heart shall mourn,
While, purified by grace,
I only for His glory burn,
And always see His face.

My steadfast soul, from falling free,
Can now no longer move;
Jesus is all the world to me,
And all my heart is love.

330

MATTHEW V. 4.

“Blessed are they that mourn.”

Gracious soul, to whom are given
Holy hungerings after heaven,
Restless breathings, earnest moans,
Deep, unutterable groans,
Agonies of strong desire,
Love's suppress'd, unconscious fire;

Turn again to God thy Rest,
Jesus hath pronounced thee blest:
Humbly to thy Jesus turn,
Comforter of all that mourn:
Happy mourner, hear, and see,
Claim the promise made to thee.

Lift to Him thy weeping eye,
Heaven behind the cloud descry:
If with Christ thou suffer here,
When His glory shall appear,
Christ His suffering son shall own;
Thine the cross, and thine the crown.

Just through Him, behold thy way
Shining to the perfect day:
Dying thus to all beneath,
Fashion'd to thy Saviour's death,
Him the Resurrection prove,
Raised to all the life of love.

What if here awhile thou grieve,
God shall endless comfort give:
Sorrow may a night endure,
Joy returns as daylight sure:

331

Praise shall then thy life employ:
Sow in tears, and reap in joy.

Doth thy Lord prolong His stay?
Mercy wills the kind delay:
Hides He still His lovely face?
Lo! He waits to show His grace:
Seems He absent from Thy heart?
'Tis, that He may ne'er depart.

Gently will He lead the weak,
Bruised reeds He ne'er will break;
Touch'd with sympathizing care,
Thee He in His arms shall bear,
Bless with late but lasting peace,
Fill with all His righteousness.

Couldst Thou the Redeemer see,
How His bowels yearn on thee!
How He marks with pitying eye,
Hears His new-born children cry,
Bears what every member bears,
Groans their groans, and weeps their tears!

Couldst thou know, as thou art known,
Jesus would appear thy own:
Most abandon'd though it seem,
Darkly safe thy soul with Him;
Farthest when from God removed,
Nearest then, and most beloved.

Feebly then thy hands lift up,
Hope, amidst despairing hope:
Stand beneath thy load of grief,
Stagger not through unbelief:

332

Make thy own election sure,
Faithful to the end endure.

Meekly then persist to mourn;
Soon He will, He must return:
Call on Him; He hears thy cry;
Soon He will, He must draw nigh:
This the hope, which nought can move,
God is Truth, and God is Love!

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.

Come hither, all who serve the Lord,
Who fear and tremble at His word,
Hear me His loving kindness tell;
Hear what He for my soul hath done,
And look to prove it in your own;
Expect His promised love to feel.

Come hither, all ye slaves of sin,
Ye beasts without, and fiends within,
Glad tidings unto all I show;
Jesus's grace for all is free;
Jesus's grace hath found out me,
And now He offers it to you.

Dead in the midst of life I was;
Unconscious of my Eden's loss,
Long did I in the graves remain,
A fallen spirit, dark, and void,
Unknowing, and unknown of God,
I felt not, for I hugg'd, my chain.

333

He call'd: I answer'd to His call,
Confess'd my state, and mourn'd my fall,
And strove, and groan'd to be renew'd:
With gradual horror then I saw
The nature of the fiery law,
But knew not then a Saviour's blood.

For ten long, legal years I lay
An helpless, though reluctant, prey
To pride, and lust, and earth, and hell:
Oft to repentance vain renew'd,
Self-confident for hours I stood,
And fell, and grieved, and rose, and fell.

I fasted, read, and work'd, and pray'd,
Call'd holy friendship to my aid,
And constant to the altar drew;
'Tis there, I cried, He must be found!
By vows, and new engagements bound,
All His commands I now shall do.

Soon as the trying hour return'd,
I sunk before the foes I scorn'd,
My firm resolves did all expire:
Why hath the law of sin prevail'd?
Why have the bonds of duty fail'd?
Alas! the tow hath touch'd the fire.

Hardly at last I all gave o'er,
I sought to free myself no more,
Too weak to burst the fowler's snare;
Baffled by twice ten thousand foils,
I ceased to struggle in the toils,
And yielded to a just despair.

334

'Twas then my soul beheld from far
The glimmering of an orient Star,
That pierced and cheer'd my nature's night;
Sweetly it dawn'd, and promised day;
Sorrow and sin it chased away,
And open'd into glorious light.

With other eyes I now could see
The Father reconciled to me;
Jesus the Just had satisfied:
Jesus had made my sufferings His,
Jesus was now my righteousness;
Jesus for me had lived and died.

From hence the Christian race I ran,
From hence the fight of faith began:
O, 'tis a good, but painful fight!
When heaviness o'erwhelms the soul,
When clouds and darkness round me roll,
And hide the Saviour from my sight.

Convinced my work was but begun,
How did I strive, and grieve, and groan,
Half yielded, yet refused to yield!
Tempted to give my Saviour up,
Deny my Lord, abjure my hope,
And basely cast away my shield.

My enemies and friends were join'd,
God's children with the world's combined
To shake my confidence in God:
Strongly they urged me to disclaim
My weaker title to the Lamb,
My interest in the' atoning blood.

335

So frail, impure, and weak, could I
Presume for me He deign'd to die,
For me so cold, so void of love!
Jesu! they bid me Thee resign;
They would not have me call Thee mine,
Till the whole power of faith I prove.

What have I known since Thee I knew!
What trials hast Thou brought me through!
Hardly I yet can credit give:
Surely, my soul, 'tis all a dream;
Saved as by fire (if saved) I seem,
If still the life of grace I live!

What have I felt, while torn within,
Full of the energy of sin,
Horror to think, and death to tell!
The Prince of Darkness ruled his hour,
Suffer'd to show forth all His power,
And shake me o'er the mouth of hell.

But, O! his tyranny is o'er!—
How shall my rescued soul adore
Thy strange, Thy unexampled grace!
A brand pluck'd from the fire I am!—
O Saviour, help me to proclaim,
Help me to show forth all Thy praise.

Fain would I spread through earth abroad
The goodness of my loving God,
And teach the world Thy grace to prove.
Unutterably good Thou art!
Read, Jesu, read my panting heart;
Thou seest it pants to break with love.

336

I only live to find Thee there:
The mansion for Thyself prepare,
In love anew my heart create:
The mighty change I long to feel:
For this my vehement soul stands still,
Restless—resign'd—for this I wait.

I know, my struggling nought avails,
My strength and foolish wisdom fails,
Vain is my toil, and vain my rest:
Only before Thy feet I lay,
The Potter Thou, and I the clay,
Thy will be done, Thy will is best.

I need not urge my eager plea,
The blood of sprinkling speaks for me,
Jesus for me vouchsafes to' appear;
For me before the throne He stands,
Points to His side, and lifts His hands,
And shows that I am graven there!

Suffice it, Lord, I now believe:
To Thee my ransom'd soul I give;
Hide it, till all life's storms be o'er:
O, keep it safe against that day!
Thou ever liv'st for me to pray:
Thy prayer be heard, I ask no more.

ISAIAH XLV. 22.

“Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all ye ends of the earth.”

Sinners, your Saviour see!
O, look ye unto Me!

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Lift your eyes, ye fallen race!
I, the gracious God and true,
I am full of truth and grace,
Full of truth and grace for you!

Look, and be saved from sin!
Believe, and be ye clean!
Guilty, labouring souls draw nigh;
See the fountain open'd wide;
To the wounds of Jesus fly,
Bathe ye in My bleeding side.

Ah, dear, redeeming Lord,
We take Thee at Thy word.
Lo! to Thee we ever look,
Freely saved by grace alone:
Thou our sins and curse hast took;
Thou for all didst once atone.

We now the writing see
Nail'd to Thy cross with Thee!
With Thy mangled body torn,
Blotted out by blood Divine;
Far away the bond is borne;
Thou art ours, and we are Thine.

On Thee we fix our eyes,
And wait for fresh supplies;
Justified, we ask for more,
Give the' abiding Spirit, give;
Lord, Thine image here restore,
Fully in Thy members live.

Author of Faith, appear!
Be Thou its Finisher.

338

Upward still for This we gaze,
Till we feel the stamp Divine,
Thee behold with open face,
Bright in all Thy glory shine.

Leave not Thy work undone,
But ever love Thine own.
Let us all Thy goodness prove,
Let us to the end believe;
Show Thy everlasting love;
Save us, to the utmost save.

O that our life might be
One looking up to Thee!
Ever hastening to the day
When our eyes shall see Thee near!
Come, Redeemer, come away!
Glorious in Thy saints appear.

Jesu, the heavens bow,
We long to meet Thee now!
Now in majesty come down;
Pity Thine elect, and come;
Hear in us Thy Spirit groan,
Take the weary exiles home.

Now let Thy face be seen,
Without a veil between:
Come and change our faith to sight,
Swallow up mortality;
Plunge us in a sea of light:
Christ, be all in all to me!

339

PRAISE FOR REDEMPTION.

From the German.

High praise to Thee, all-gracious God!
Unceasing praise to Thee we pay;
Naked and wallowing in our blood,
Unpitied, loathed of all we lay.
Thou saw'st, and from the' eternal throne
Gav'st us Thy dear, Thy only Son.

Through Thy rich grace, in Jesu's blood
Blessing, redemption, life we find.
Our souls wash'd in this cleansing flood,
No stain of guilt remains behind.
Who can Thy mercy's stores express?
Unfathomable, numberless!

Now Christ in us doth live, and we,
Father, through Him with Thee are one:
The banner of His love we see,
And fearless grasp the starry crown.
Unutterable peace we feel
In Him, and joys unspeakable.

Now hast Thou given us, through Thy Son,
The power of living faith to see;
Unconquerable faith, alone
That gains o'er all the victory;
Faith which nor earth nor hell can move,
Unblamable in perfect love.

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Fully Thy quickening Spirit impart,
Thou who hast all our sins forgiven;
O, form the Saviour in my heart;
Seal of Thy love, and Pledge of heaven.
For ever be His name impress'd
Both on my hand and on my breast.

Thine is whate'er we are: Thy grace
In Christ created us anew,
To sing Thy never-ceasing praise,
Thy unexhausted love to show;
And, arm'd with Thy great Spirit's aid,
Blameless in all Thy paths to tread.

Yea, Father, ours through Him Thou art,
For so is Thy eternal will!
O, live, move, reign within my heart,
My soul with all Thy fulness fill:
My heart, my all I yield to Thee:
Jesus be all in all to me!

ON THE ADMISSION OF ANY PERSON INTO THE SOCIETY.

Brother in Christ, and well-beloved,
To Jesus and His servants dear,
Enter, and show Thyself approved;
Enter, and find that God is here!

'Scaped from the world, redeem'd from sin,
By fiends pursued, by men abhorr'd,
Come in, poor fugitive, come in,
And share the portion of Thy Lord.

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Welcome from earth!—Lo! the right hand
Of fellowship to thee we give;
With open arms and hearts we stand,
And thee in Jesu's name receive!

Say, is thy heart resolved as ours?
Then let it burn with sacred love;
Then let it taste the heavenly powers,
Partaker of the joys above.

Jesu, attend! Thyself reveal!
Are we not met in Thy great name?
Thee in the midst we wait to feel,
We wait to catch the spreading flame.

Thou God, that answerest by fire,
The Spirit of burning now impart,
And let the flames of pure desire
Rise from the altar of our heart.

Truly our fellowship below
With Thee, and with Thy Father is;
In Thee eternal life we know,
And heaven's unutterable bliss.

In part we only know Thee here,
But wait Thy coming from above:—
And I shall then behold Thee near,
And I shall all be lost in love!

SERAPHIC LOVE.

Altered from Mr. Norris.

Away, vain world! my heart resign;
For I can be no longer thine:

342

A nobler, a diviner Guest
Has took possession of my breast.
He has, and must engross it all;
And yet the room is still too small.
In vain you tempt my heart to rove;
A fairer Object claims my love.

At last (alas, how late!) I've seen
One lovelier than the sons of men:
The fairest of ten thousand He,
Proportion all, and harmony.
All mortal beauty's but a ray
Of His bright ever-shining day:
All before Thee must disappear,
Thou only Good, Thou only Fair.

To Thee my longing soul aspires
With holy breathings, warm desires:
To Thee my panting heart does move!
O, pierce, fill, melt it with Thy love!
How do Thy glorious streams of light,
Even through this veil, refresh my sight!
When shall my prison'd soul be free,
And find light, life, love, heaven in Thee!

THE ASPIRATION.

From the same.

How long, great God, how long must I
Immured in this dark prison lie?
Where through the avenues of sense
My soul has dim intelligence;

343

Where but faint gleams salute my sight,
Like moonshine in a cloudy night.
When shall I leave this dusky sphere,
And be all mind, all eye, all ear?

How cold this clime! And yet my sense
Perceives even here Thy influence.
Even here the magnet's power I feel,
And tremble like the' attracted steel.
And though to beauties less divine
Sometimes my erring heart decline,
Yet soon (so strong the sympathy)
It turns, and points again to Thee.

I long to see this Excellence,
Which at such distance strikes my sense.
My soul struggles to disengage
Her wings from this her earthy cage:
Wouldst thou, great Love, once set her free,
How would she haste to' unite with Thee!
She'd for no angel's conduct stay,
But fly, and love on all the way.

SOLOMON'S SONG. CHAP. V. 15, &c.

Altered from Sandys.

Who's this, who like the morning shows,
When she her paths with roses strews;
More fair than the replenish'd moon,
More radiant than the sun at noon?
Not armies with their ensigns spread,
So threaten with amazing dread!

344

His looks like cedars planted on
The brows of lofty Lebanon:
His tongue the ear with music feeds,
And He in every part exceeds:
Among ten thousand He appears
The chief, and Beauty's ensign bears.

I, my Beloved, am only Thine:
And Thou by just exchange art mine.
Come let us tread the pleasant fields;
Taste we what fruit the country yields;
There, where no frosts our spring destroy,
Shalt Thou alone my love enjoy.

Be I, O Thou my better part,
A seal impress'd upon Thy heart:
Should falling clouds with floods conspire,
Their waters could not quench love's fire;
Nor all in nature's treasury
The freedom of affection buy.

O Thou that in Thy chosen liv'st,
And life-infusing counsel giv'st
To those that in Thy songs rejoice,
To me address Thy cheerful voice.
May I Thy finger's signet prove;
For death is not more strong than love.

Come, my Beloved, O come away!
Love is impatient of delay:
Run like a youthful hart or roe,
On hills where precious spices grow.
Love is impatient of delay:
Come, my Beloved, O come away!

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WRITTEN AFTER WALKING OVER SMITHFIELD.

Hail, holy martyrs, glorious names,
Who nobly here for Jesus stood,
Rejoiced, and clapp'd your hands in flames,
And dared to seal the truth with blood!

Strong in the Lord, divinely strong,
Tortures and death ye here defied;
Demons and men, a gazing throng,
Ye braved, and more than conquering died!

Finish'd your course, and fought your fight,
Hence did your mounting souls aspire;
Starting from flesh, they took their flight,
Borne upward on a car of fire.

Where earth and hell no more molest,
Ye now have join'd the heavenly host,
Enter'd into your Father's rest,
And found the life which here ye lost.

Father, if now Thy breath revives
In us the pure, primeval flame,
Thy power, which animates our lives,
Can make us in our deaths the same;

Can out of weakness make us strong,
Arming as in the ancient days,
Loosing the stammering infant's tongue,
And perfecting in babes Thy praise.

Steadfast we then shall stand, and sure
Thy everlasting truth to prove,
In faith's plerophory secure,
In all the' omnipotence of love.

346

Come, holy, holy, holy Lord,
The Father, Son, and Spirit, come!
Be mindful of Thy changeless word,
And make the faithful soul Thy home.

Arm of the Lord, awake, awake!
In us Thy glorious Self reveal,
Let us Thy sevenfold gifts partake,
Let us Thy mighty working feel.

Near us, assisting Jesu, stand,
Give us the opening heaven to see,
Thee to behold at God's right hand,
And yield our parting souls to Thee.

My Father, O my Father, hear,
And send the fiery chariot down;
Let Israel's flaming steeds appear,
And whirl us to the starry crown.

We, we would die for Jesus too!
Through tortures, fires, and seas of blood,
All, all triumphantly break through,
And plunge into the depths of God!

THE BELIEVER'S TRIUMPH.

From the German.

Jesu, Thy blood and righteousness
My beauty are, my glorious dress:
'Midst flaming worlds, in these array'd,
With joy shall I lift up my head.

347

Bold shall I stand in Thy great day;
For who aught to my charge shall lay?
Fully through these absolved I am
From sin and fear, from guilt and shame.

The deadly writing now I see
Nail'd with Thy body to the tree:
Torn with the nails that pierced Thy hands,
The' old covenant no longer stands.

Though, sign'd and written with my blood,
As hell's foundations sure it stood,
Thine hath wash'd out the crimson stains,
And white as snow my soul remains.

Satan, thy due reward survey;
The Lord of Life why didst thou slay?
To tear the prey out of thy teeth;
To spoil the realms of hell and death.

The holy, the unspotted Lamb,
Who from the Father's bosom came,
Who died, for me, even me, to' atone,
Now for my Lord and God I own.

Lord, I believe the precious blood
Which at the mercy-seat of God
For ever doth for sinners plead,
For me, even for my soul, was shed.

Lord, I believe, were sinners more
Than sands upon the ocean-shore,
For all Thou hast the ransom given,
Purchased for all peace, life, and heaven.

Lord, I believe the price is paid,
For every soul the' atonement made;

348

And every soul Thy grace may prove,
Loved with an everlasting love.

Carnal, and sold to sin, no more
I am; hell's tyranny is o'er:
The' immortal seed remains within,
And, born of God, I cannot sin.

Yet nought whereof to boast I have;
All, all Thy mercy freely gave;
No works, no righteousness are mine;
All is Thy work, and only Thine.

When from the dust of death I rise
To claim my mansion in the skies,
Even then, this shall be all my plea,
“Jesus hath lived, hath died for me.”

Thus Abraham, the friend of God,
Thus all heaven's armies bought with blood,
Saviour of sinners Thee proclaim;
Sinners, of whom the chief I am.

Naked from Satan did I flee,
To Thee, my Lord, and put on Thee:
And thus adorn'd, I wait the word,
“He comes: arise, and meet thy Lord.”

This spotless robe the same appears
When ruin'd nature sinks in years:
No age can change its constant hue;
Thy blood preserves it ever new.

When Thou shalt call in that great day
For my account, thus will I say:
“Thanks to my gracious Lord, if aught
Of good I did, glad I it wrought:

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“And while I felt Thy blood within
Cleansing my soul from every sin,
Purging each fierce and foul desire;
I joy'd in the refining fire.

“If pride, desire, wrath stirr'd anew,
Swift to my sure resort I flew:
See there my Lord upon the tree!
Hell heard: instant my soul was free.”

Then shall heaven's hosts with loud acclaim
Give praise and glory to the Lamb,
Who bore our sins, and by His blood
Hath made us kings and priests to God.

O ye, who joy to feed His sheep,
Ever in your remembrance keep,
Empty they are, and void of God,
Till brought to the atoning blood.

Jesu, be endless praise to Thee,
Whose boundless mercy hath for me,
For me, and all Thy hands have made,
An everlasting ransom paid.

Ah, give me now, all-gracious Lord,
With power to speak Thy quickening word;
That all who to Thy wounds will flee
May find eternal life in Thee.

Thou God of power, Thou God of love,
Let the whole world Thy mercy prove:
Now let Thy word o'er all prevail;
Now take the spoils of death and hell.

350

O, let the dead now hear Thy voice;
Now bid Thy banish'd ones rejoice;
Their beauty this, their glorious dress,
Jesu, Thy blood and righteousness!

THE LOVE-FEAST.

PART I.

Come, and let us sweetly join
Christ to praise in hymns divine;
Give we all with one accord
Glory to our common Lord:
Hands, and hearts, and voices raise,
Sing as in the ancient days,
Antedate the joys above,
Celebrate the Feast of Love.

Strive we, in affection strive:
Let the purer flame revive,
Such as in the martyrs glow'd,
Dying champions for their God.
We, like them, may live and love;
Call'd we are their joys to prove;
Saved with them from future wrath,
Partners of like precious faith.

Sing we then in Jesu's name,
Now as yesterday the same,
One in every age and place,
Full for all of truth and grace.
We, for Christ, our Master, stand
Lights in a benighted land;
We our dying Lord confess,
We are Jesu's witnesses.

351

Witnesses that Christ hath died,
We with Him are crucified:
Christ hath burst the bands of death,
We His quickening Spirit breathe.
Christ is now gone up on high;
(Thither all our wishes fly;)
Sits at God's right hand above,
There with Him we reign in love!

PART II.

Come, Thou high and lofty Lord,
Lowly, meek, incarnate Word;
Humbly stoop to earth again,
Come, and visit abject man.
Jesu, dear, expected Guest,
Thou art bidden to the feast;
For Thyself our hearts prepare,
Come, and sit, and banquet there.

Jesu, we the promise claim,
We are met in Thy great name:
In the midst do Thou appear,
Manifest Thy presence here;
Sanctify us, Lord, and bless,
Breathe Thy Spirit, give Thy peace,
Thou Thyself within us move;
Make our feast a feast of love.

Let the fruits of grace abound,
Let in us Thy bowels sound;
Faith, and love, and joy increase,
Temperance, and gentleness:
Plant in us Thy humble mind;
Patient, pitiful, and kind,

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Meek and lowly let us be,
Full of goodness, full of Thee.

Make us all in Thee complete,
Make us all for glory meet,
Meet to' appear before Thy sight,
Partners with the saints in light.
Call, O, call us each by name
To the marriage of the Lamb;
Let us lean upon Thy breast;
Love be there our endless feast.

PART III.

Let us join, ('tis God commands,)
Let us join our hearts and hands;
Help to gain our calling's hope,
Build we each the other up.
God His blessing shall dispense,
God shall crown His ordinance,
Meet in His appointed ways,
Nourish us with social grace.

Let us then as brethren love,
Faithfully His gifts improve,
Carry on the earnest strife,
Walk in holiness of life.
Still forget the things behind,
Follow Christ in heart and mind,
Toward the mark unwearied press,
Seize the crown of righteousness.

Plead we thus for faith alone,
Faith which by our works is shown;
God it is who justifies,
Only faith the grace applies,—

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Active faith that lives within,
Conquers hell, and death, and sin,
Hallows whom it first made whole,
Forms the Saviour in the soul.

Let us for this faith contend,
Sure salvation is its end;
Heaven already is begun,
Everlasting life is won:
Only let us persevere
Till we see our Lord appear,
Never from the Rock remove,
Saved by faith which works by love.

PART IV.

Partners of a glorious hope,
Lift your hearts and voices up;
Jointly let us rise and sing
Christ our Prophet, Priest, and King.
Monuments of Jesu's grace,
Speak we by our lives His praise,
Walk in Him we have received,
Show we not in vain believed.

While we walk with God in light,
God our hearts doth still unite,
Dearest fellowship we prove,
Fellowship of Jesu's love;
Sweetly each with each combined,
In the bonds of duty join'd,
Feels the cleansing blood applied,
Daily feels that Christ hath died.

Still, O Lord, our faith increase;
Cleanse from all unrighteousness:

354

Thee the' unholy cannot see;
Make, O, make us meet for Thee.
Every vile affection kill,
Root out every seed of ill;
Utterly abolish sin,
Write Thy law of love within.

Hence may all our actions flow,
Love the proof that Christ we know;
Mutual love the token be,
Lord, that we belong to Thee:
Love, Thy image love, impart,
Stamp it on our face and heart;
Only love to us be given,
Lord, we ask no other heaven.

V. PART V.

1 Peter i. 3, &c.

Father, hail, by all adored,
Father of our bleeding Lord!
God of mercy, Thee we praise,
Saved by Thy abundant grace:
To a lively hope begot,
Into second being brought,
Quicken'd by, and with, our Head,
Raised in Jesus from the dead.

Raised to' inherit glorious joys,
Happiness that never cloys,
Happiness without allay,
Joys that never fade away;
Manna such as angels eat,
Pure delights for spirits fit,

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All to us through Jesus given,
All for us reserved in heaven.

There we shall in glory shine,
Kept on earth by power Divine;
Power Divine through faith received:
We the promise have believed;
Confident that Christ shall come,
Make the faithful souls His home,
Here in part Himself reveal,
Stamp us with the Spirit's seal.

This we now rejoice to know,
Sorrowful howe'er we go,
Exercised, if need require,
Purged in the refining fire:
Faith the trial shall abide,
Shine, as gold, when fully tried,
Glory, honour, praise receive,
Which the Righteous Judge shall give.

Him we love, as yet unseen;
(Flesh is interposed between;)
Only faith's interior eye
Darkly can its Lord descry:
Gladden'd by the partial sight,
Swells our soul with vast delight,
Glorious and unspeakable;—
Heaven begun on earth we feel.

Here the sinner that believes
Everlasting life receives;
Here angelic bliss we find,
Bliss the same with theirs in kind,—

356

Only differing in degree:
Lengthen'd out it soon shall be;
All our heaven we then shall prove,
All the' eternity of love.

THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS.

PART I.

Father, Son, and Spirit, hear
Faith's effectual fervent prayer,
Hear, and our petitions seal;
Let us now the answer feel.
Mystically one with Thee,
Transcript of the Trinity,
Thee let all our nature own
One in Three, and Three in One.

If we now begin to be
Partners with Thy saints and Thee;
If we have our sins forgiven,
Fellow-citizens of heaven;
Still the fellowship increase,
Knit us in the bond of peace;
Join our new-born spirits, join
Each to each, and all to Thine.

Build us in one body up,
Call'd in one high calling's hope;
One the Spirit whom we claim;
One the pure baptismal flame;
One the faith, and common Lord;
One the Father lives, adored,
Over, through, and in us all,
God Incomprehensible.

357

One with God, the Source of bliss,
Ground of our communion this:
Life of all that live below,
Let Thy emanations flow;
Rise eternal in our heart:
Thou our only Eden art;
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Be to us what Adam lost.

Bold we ask through Christ the Son;
Thou, O Christ, art all our own;
Our exalted flesh we see
To the Godhead join'd in Thee:
Glorious now Thy heaven we share,
Thou art here, and we are there;
We participate of Thine,
Human nature of Divine.

Live we now in Christ our Head,
Quicken'd by Thy life, and fed;
Christ, from whom the Spirit flows,
Into Thee Thy body grows;
While we feel the vital blood,
While the circulating flood,
Christ, through every member rolls,
Soul of all believing souls.

Daily growth the members find,
Fitly each with other join'd;
Closely all compacted rise;
Every joint its strength supplies,
Life to every part conveys,
Till the whole receive increase,
All complete the body prove,
Perfectly built up in love.

358

PART II.

Christ, the true, the heavenly Vine,
If Thy grace hath made us Thine,
Branches of a poison'd root,
Fallen Adam's evil fruit;
If we now transplanted are,
If we of Thy nature share,
Hear us, Lord, and let us be
Fully grafted into Thee.

Still may we continue thus,
We in Thee, and Thou in us;
Let us fresh supplies receive,
From Thee, in Thee ever live,
Share the fatness of the root,
Blossom, bud, and bring forth fruit,
With immortal vigour rise,
Towering till we reach the skies.

Christ, to all believers known,
Living, precious Corner-stone,—
Christ, by mortals disallow'd,
Chosen and esteem'd of God,—
Lively stones, we come to Thee;
Built together let us be;
Saved by grace through faith alone:
Faith it is that makes us one.

Other ground can no man lay,
Jesus takes our sins away!
Jesus the Foundation is:
This shall stand, and only this:
Fitly framed in Him we are,
All the building rises fair;

359

Let it to a temple rise,
Worthy Him who fills the skies.

Husband of Thy church below,
Christ, if Thee our Lord we know,
Unto Thee, betrothed in love,
Always faithful let us prove;
Never rob Thee of our heart,
Never give the creature part:
Only Thou possess the whole;
Take our body, spirit, soul.

Steadfast let us cleave to Thee;
Love the mystic union be;
Union to the world unknown!
Join'd to God, in spirit one.
Wait we till the Spouse shall come,
Till the Lamb shall take us home,
For His heaven the bride prepare,
Solemnize our nuptials there.

III. PART III.

John xvii. 20, &c.

Christ, our Head, gone up on high,
Be Thou in Thy Spirit nigh;
Advocate with God, give ear
To Thine own effectual prayer:
Hear the sounds Thou once didst breathe
In Thy days of flesh beneath;
Now, O Jesu, let them be
Strongly echoed back to Thee.

We, O Christ, have Thee received;
We the Gospel-word believed:

360

Justly then we claim a share
In Thine everlasting prayer.
One the Father is with Thee;
Knit us in like unity;
Make us, O uniting Son,
One as Thou and He are one.

If Thy love to us hath given
All the glory of His heaven,
(From eternity Thine own,
Glory here in grace begun,)
Let us now the gift receive,
By the vital union live,
Join'd to God, and perfect be,
Mystically one in Thee.

Let it hence to all be known,
Thou art with Thy Father one;
One with Him in us be show'd,
Very God of very God;
Sent our spirits to unite,
Sent to make us sons of light,
Sent that we His grace may prove,
All the riches of His love.

Thee He loved e'er time begun,
Thee the Co-eternal Son;
He hath to Thy merit given
Us, the' adopted heirs of heaven.
Thou hast will'd that we should rise,
See Thy glory in the skies,
See Thee by all heaven adored,
Be for ever with our Lord.

Thou the Father seest alone,
Thou to us hast made Him known:

361

Sent from Him we know Thou art,
We have found Thee in our heart:
Thou the Father hast declared:
He is here our great reward;
Ours His Nature and His Name;—
Thou art ours with Him the same.

Still, O Lord, (for Thine we are,)
Still to us His Name declare;
Thy revealing Spirit give,
Whom the world cannot receive:
Fill us with the Father's love;
Never from our souls remove;
Dwell in us, and we shall be
Thine to all eternity.

PART IV.

Christ, from whom all blessings flow,
Perfecting the saints below,
Hear us, who Thy Nature share,
Who Thy mystic body are:
Join us, in one spirit join,
Let us still receive of Thine;
Still for more on Thee we call,
Thee, who fillest all in all.

Closer knit to Thee our Head,
Nourish us, O Christ, and feed;
Let us daily growth receive,
More and more in Jesus live:
Jesu! we Thy members are,
Cherish us with kindest care;
Of Thy flesh and of Thy bone,
Love, for ever love Thine own.

362

Move, and actuate, and guide,
Diverse gifts to each divide:
Placed according to Thy will,
Let us all our work fulfil;
Never from our office move,
Needful to the others prove;
Use the grace on each bestow'd,
Temper'd by the art of God.

Sweetly now we all agree,
Touch'd with softest sympathy,
Kindly for each other care:
Every member feels its share:
Wounded by the grief of one,
All the suffering members groan;
Honour'd if one member is,
All partake the common bliss.

Many are we now, and one,
We who Jesus have put on:
There is neither bond nor free,
Male nor female, Lord, in Thee.
Love, like death, hath all destroy'd,
Render'd all distinctions void:
Names, and sects, and parties fall;
Thou, O Christ, art all in all!

V. PART V.

Hebrews xii. 22, 23, 24.

King of Saints, to whom are given
All in earth, and all in heaven,
Reconciled through Thee alone,
Join'd and gather'd into one:

363

Heirs of glory, sons of grace,
Lo! to Thee our hopes we raise,
Raise and fix our hopes on Thee,
Full of immortality!

Absent in our flesh from home,
We are to Mount Sion come;
Heaven is our soul's abode,
City of the living God;
Enter'd there, our seats we claim
In the New Jerusalem,
Join the countless angel-choir,
Greet the first-born sons of fire.

We our elder brethren meet,
We are made with them to sit;
Sweetest fellowship we prove
With the general church above;—
Saints, who now their names behold
In the Book of Life enroll'd;
Spirits of the righteous, made
Perfect now in Christ their Head.

We with them to God are come,
God who speaks the general doom:
Jesus Christ, who stands between
Angry Heaven, and guilty men,
Undertakes to buy our peace,
Gives the covenant of grace;
Ratifies, and makes it good,
Signs and seals it in His blood.

Life His healing blood imparts,
Sprinkled on our peaceful hearts:

364

Abel's blood for vengeance cried,
Jesu's speaks us justified;
Speaks, and calls for better things,
Makes us prophets, priests, and kings;
Asks that we with Him may reign:
Earth and heaven say, Amen!

PART VI.

Come, ye kindred souls above,
Man provokes you unto love;
Saints and angels, hear the call,
Praise the common Lord of all:
Him let earth and heaven proclaim,
Earth and heaven record His name;
Let us both in this agree,
Both His one great family.

Hosts of heaven, begin the song,
Praise Him with a tuneful tongue:
(Sounds like yours we cannot raise,
We can only lisp His praise:)
Us repenting sinners see,
Jesus died to set us free;
Sing ye over us forgiven;
Shout for joy, ye hosts of heaven.

Be it unto angels known,
By the church, what God hath done:
Depths of love and wisdom see
In a dying Deity!
Gaze, ye first-born seraphs, gaze!
Never can ye sound His grace:
Lost in wonder, look no more;
Fall, and silently adore.

365

Ministerial spirits, know,
Execute your charge below.
You our Father hath prepared,
Fenced us with a flaming guard:
Bid you all our ways attend,
Safe convoy us to the end,
On your wings our souls remove,
Waft us to the realms of love.

Happy souls, whose course is run,
Who the fight of faith have won,
Parted by an earlier death,
Think ye of your friends beneath.
Have ye your own flesh forgot,
By a common ransom bought?
Can death's interposing tide
Spirits one in Christ divide?

No: for us you ever wait,
Till we make your bliss complete,
Till your fellow-servants come,
Till your brethren hasten home:
You in paradise remain,
For your testimony slain,
Nobly who for Jesus stood,
Bold to seal the truth with blood.

Ever now your speaking cries
From beneath the altar rise,
Loudly call for vengeance due:
“Come, Thou holy God, and true!
Lord, how long dost Thou delay?
Come to judgment, come away!
Hasten, Lord, the general doom;
Come away, to judgment come!”

366

Wait, ye righteous spirits, wait,
Soon arrives your perfect state;
Robed in white a season rest,
Blest, if not completely blest.
When the number is fulfill'd,
When the witnesses are kill'd,
When we all from earth are driven,
Then with us ye mount to heaven.

Jesu, hear, and bow the skies;
Hark! we all unite our cries:
“Take us to our heavenly home;
Quickly let Thy kingdom come!’
“Jesu, come,” the Spirit cries;
“Jesu, come,” the bride replies;
One triumphant church above,
Join us all in perfect love.

ISAIAH LXIV.

O that Thou wouldst the heavens rend!
O that Thou wouldst this hour come down!
Descend, Almighty God, descend,
And strongly vindicate Thine own!

Now let the heathens fear Thy Name;
Now let the world Thy Nature know;
Dart into all the melting flame
Of love, and make the mountains flow.

O, let Thine indignation burn,
The lightning of Thy judgments glare,
The' aspiring confidence o'erturn
Of all that still Thine anger dare.

367

From heaven reveal Thy vengeful ire,
Thy fury let the nations prove,
Confess Thee a consuming fire,
And tremble, till they feel Thy love.

Thy power was to our fathers known,
A mighty God, and terrible;
In majesty Thou camest down,
The mountains at Thy presence fell.

The wonders Thou for them hast wrought
Thy boundless power and love proclaim,
Far above all they ask'd or thought:
And now we wait to know Thy Name.

We wait; for since the world began
To men it ne'er by men was show'd:
Thou only canst Thyself explain;
God only sounds the depths of God.

Eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard,
By heart conceived it cannot be,
The bliss Thou hast for him prepared
Who waits in humble faith for Thee.

Thou meetest him that dares rejoice
In hope of Thy salvation near;
Who wants, while he obeys Thy voice,
The perfect love that casts out fear;

In works of righteousness employ'd,
Who Thee remembers in Thy ways,—
The ordinances of his God,
The sacred channels of Thy grace.

368

But, lo! Thy anger kindled is,
And justly might for ever burn;
We have forsook the path of peace:
How shall our wandering souls return?

In Thine appointed ways we wait,
The ways Thy wisdom hath enjoin'd;
Thy saving grace we here shall meet,
If every one that seeks shall find.

Nor can we thus Thy wrath appease;
We and our works are all unclean,
As filthy rags our righteousness,
Our good is ill, our virtue sin.

Like wither'd leaves we fade away;
We all deserve Thy wrath to feel;
Swift as the wind, our sins convey
And sweep our guilty souls to hell.

Not one will call upon Thy name,
Stir himself up Thy grace to see,
The Lord his righteousness to claim,
And boldly to take hold on Thee.

For, O! Thy face is turn'd aside,
Since we refused to' obey Thy will;
Thou hast consumed us for our pride,
Thy heavy hand consumes us still.

But art Thou not our Father now?
Our Father now Thou surely art:
Humbly beneath Thy frown we bow,
We seek Thee with a trembling heart.

369

The Potter Thou, and we the clay;
Behold us at Thy footstool laid;
In anger cast us not away,
The creatures whom Thy hands have made.

O, let Thine anger rage no more,
Remember not iniquity;
See, Lord, and all our sins pass o'er,
Thy own peculiar people see.

Jerusalem in ruins lies,
A wilderness Thy cities are;
A den of thieves Thy temple is,
No longer now the house of prayer.

Where humbly low our fathers bow'd,
And Thee with joyful lips adored,
Idolaters profanely crowd,
And take the altar for its Lord.

The sacred means Thyself ordain'd,
Others reject with impious haste;
By these blasphemed, by those profaned,
Our pleasant things are all laid waste.

And wilt Thou not this havoc see,
For which we ever, ever mourn?
Still shall we cry in vain to Thee?
Return, our gracious Lord, return!

Hold not Thy peace at Sion's woe;
O, cast not out Thy people's prayer;
Regard Thy suffering church below,
And spare, the weeping remnant spare.

370

Thy fallen tabernacle raise,
Thy chastisement at last remove,
That all mankind may sing Thy praise,
Thou God of Truth, Thou God of Love.

HEBREWS IV. 9.

“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.”

Lord, I believe a rest remains,
To all Thy people known;
A rest where pure enjoyment reigns,
And Thou art loved alone:

A rest where all our soul's desire
Is fix'd on things above;
Where doubt, and pain, and fear expire,
Cast out by perfect love:

A rest of lasting joy and peace,
Where all is calm within:
'Tis then from our own works we cease,
From pride, self-will, and sin.

Our life is hid with Christ in God;
The agony is o'er,
We wrestle not with flesh and blood,
We strive with sin no more.

Our spirit is right, our heart is clean,
Our nature is renew'd;
We cannot now, we cannot sin,
For we are born of God.

371

From every evil motion freed,
(The Son hath made us free,)
On all the powers of hell we tread,
In glorious liberty.

Redeem'd, we walk on holy ground,
On God we cast our care;
No lion in that way is found,
No ravenous beast is there!

Safe in the way of life, above
Death, earth, and hell we rise;
We find, when perfected in love,
Our long-sought paradise.

Within that Eden we retire,
We rest in Jesu's name:
It guards us, as a wall of fire,
And as a sword of flame.

O that I now the rest might know,
Believe, and enter in!
Now, Saviour, now the power bestow,
And let me cease from sin.

Remove this hardness from my heart,
This unbelief remove;
To me the rest of faith impart,
The sabbath of Thy love.

I groan from pride to be set free,
From wrath to be released:
Take me, O, take me into Thee,
My everlasting Rest.

372

I would be Thine, Thou know'st I would,
And have Thee all my own;
Thee, O my all-sufficient Good,
I want, and Thee alone.

Thy Name to me, Thy Nature grant;
This, only this be given:
Nothing besides my God I want,
Nothing in earth or heaven.

Come, O my Saviour, come away,
Into my soul descend;
No longer from Thy creature stay,
My Author and my End.

The bliss Thou hast for me prepared
No longer be delay'd;
Come, my exceeding Great Reward,
For whom I first was made.

Come, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
And seal me Thine abode;
Let all I am in Thee be lost,
Let all I am be God!

University of Virginia Library

II. PART II.

REDEMPTION FOUND.

From the German.

From the same.

[Holy Lamb, who Thee receive]

CHRIST OUR WISDOM.

[1 Corinthians i. 30.]

CHRIST OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

[1 Corinthians i. 30.]

CHRIST OUR SANCTIFICATION.

[1 Corinthians i. 30.]

CHRIST OUR REDEMPTION.

[1 Corinthians i. 30.]

“IT IS VERY MEET, RIGHT, AND OUR BOUNDEN DUTY,

THAT WE SHOULD AT ALL TIMES, AND IN ALL PLACES, GIVE THANKS UNTO THEE, O LORD, HOLY FATHER, ALMIGHTY, EVERLASTING GOD.”

HYMN FOR THE KINGSWOOD COLLIERS.

TO BE SUNG WHILE AT WORK.

ISAIAH XXXV.

FOR A MINISTER.

AT SETTING OUT TO PREACH THE GOSPEL.

ACTS IV. 24, &c.

TO BE SUNG IN A TUMULT.

“LITTLE CHILDREN, LOVE ONE ANOTHER.”

FOR THE ANNIVERSARY DAY OF ONE'S CONVERSION.

TO BE SUNG AT MEALS.

BEFORE A JOURNEY.

ANOTHER.

[Angels, attend, ('tis God commands,)]

ON A JOURNEY.

AFTER A JOURNEY.

AT LYING DOWN.

GROANING FOR THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION.

UNIVERSAL REDEMPTION.

ANOTHER.

[Hear, holy, holy, holy Lord]

HYMN TO CHRIST THE PROPHET.

THE BACKSLIDER'S CONFESSION.

AT THE APPROACH OF TEMPTATION.

IN TEMPTATION.

JOB XXIII. 8, 9, 10.

AFTER A RELAPSE INTO SIN.

AGAINST HOPE, BELIEVING IN HOPE.

MATTHEW V. 4.

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.

ISAIAH XLV. 22.

PRAISE FOR REDEMPTION.

From the German.

ON THE ADMISSION OF ANY PERSON INTO THE SOCIETY.

SERAPHIC LOVE.

Altered from Mr. Norris.

THE ASPIRATION.

From the same.

SOLOMON'S SONG. CHAP. V. 15, &c.

Altered from Sandys.

WRITTEN AFTER WALKING OVER SMITHFIELD.

THE BELIEVER'S TRIUMPH.

From the German.

THE LOVE-FEAST.

PART I.

PART II.

PART III.

PART IV.

V. PART V.

THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS.

PART I.

PART II.

III. PART III.

PART IV.

V. PART V.

PART VI.

ISAIAH LXIV.

HEBREWS IV. 9.