The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. Containing, besides his Sermons, and Essays on miscellaneous subjects, several additional pieces, Selected from his Manuscripts by the Rev. Dr. Jennings, and the Rev. Dr. Doddridge, in 1753: to which are prefixed, memoirs of the life of the author, compiled by the Rev. George Burder. In six volumes |
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A Hymn of Praise for Three great Salvations, viz.
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 | The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. |  |
A Hymn of Praise for Three great Salvations, viz.
1 From the Spanish Invasion, 1588. 2 From the Gun-powder Plot, Nov. 5. 3 From Popery and Slavery by King William of glorious memory, who landed Nov. 5, 1688. Composed, Nov. 5, 1695.
[The First Part.
I
Infinite God, thy counsels standLike mountains of eternal brass,
Pillars to prop our sinking land,
Or guardian rocks to break the seas.
II
From pole to pole thy name is known,Thee a whole heaven of angels praise;
Our labouring tongues would reach thy throne
With the loud triumphs of thy grace.
III
Part of thy church, by thy commandStands rais'd upon the British isles;
‘There,’ said the Lord, ‘to ages stand,
‘Firm as the everlasting hills.’
IV
In vain the Spanish ocean roar'd;Its billows swell'd against our shore,
Its billows sunk beneath thy word,
With all the floating war they bore.
V
‘Come,’ said the sons of bloody Rome,‘Let us provide new arms from hell:’
And down they digg'd thro' earth's dark womb,
And ransack'd all the burning cell.
VI
Old Satan lent them fiery stores,Infernal coal, and sulphrous flame,
And all that burns, and all that roars,
Outrageous fires of dreadful name.
VII
Beneath the senate and the throne,Engines of hellish thunder lay;
There the dark seeds of fire were sown,
To spring a bright but dismal day.
VIII
Thy love beheld the black design,Thy love that guards our island round:
Strange! how it quench'd the fiery mine,
And crush'd the tempest under ground.
The Second Part.
I
Assume, my tongue, a nobler strain,Sing the new wonders of the Lord;
The foes revive their pow'rs again,
Again they die beneath his sword.
II
Dark as our thoughts our minutes roll,While tyranny possess'd the throne,
And murderers of an Irish soul
Ran, threat'ning death, thro' every town.
III
The Roman priest, and British prince,Join'd their best force, and blackest charms,
And the fierce troops of neighbouring France
Offer'd the service of their arms.
IV
‘'Tis done,’ they cry'd, and laugh'd aloud,The courts of darkness rang with joy,
Th'old serpent hiss'd, and hell grew proud,
While Zion mourn'd her ruin nigh.
V
But lo, the great deliverer sailsCommission'd from Jehovah's hand,
And smiling seas, and wishing gales,
Convey him to the longing land.
VI
The happy day, and happy year,Both in our new salvation meet:
The day that quench'd the burning snare,
The year that burnt the invading fleet.
VII
Now did thine arm, O God of hosts,Now did thine arm shine dazzling bright,
The sons of might their hands had lost,
And men of blood forgot to fight.
VIII
Brigades of angels lin'd the way,And guarded William to his throne;
There, ye celestial warriors, stay,
And make his palace like your own.
IX
Then, mighty God, the earth shall knowAnd learn the worship of the sky,
Angels and Britons join below,
To raise their Hallelujahs high.
X
All Hallelujah, heavenly King:While distant lands thy vict'ry sing,
And tongues their utmost pow'rs employ,
The world's bright roof repeats the joy.
| The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. | |