L r n R A. R Y OF THE Theological Seminary, PRINCETON, N. J. Case, Shelf, S« j ZiooA, No, fwlfa'i* (obi Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from Princeton Theological Seminary Library http://archive.org/details/traparaOOchur TRANSLATIONS ASD PARAPHRASES INVERSE, OF SEVERAL PASSAGES OF SACRED SCRIPTURE, COLLECTED AND PREPARED BY A COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND: IN ORDER TO BE SUNG IN CHURCHES. NEW-YORK: PUBLISHED BY ROBERT CARTER, No. 58 Canal-street. 1842. JOHN BLACK, PRINTER. 75 Fulton-street. PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE PARAPHRASED. No. Page 1 Genesis i _ --^i^* ^ 2 Genesis xxviii. 20— 22 7 3 Jobi.21 ib. 4 Job iii. 17—20 8 5 Jobv. 6—12 9 6 Job viii. 11—22 „ _ ib. 7 Jobix.2— 10 10 8 Job xiv. 1—15 11 9 Job xxvi. 6, to the end, « 13 10 Prov. i. 20— 31 14 11 Prov.iii. 13— 17 15 12 Prov.vi. 6—12 16 13 Prov. viii. 22, to the end, 17 14 Eccles. vii. 2— 6 18 15 Eccles. ix. 4, 5, 6, 10 19 16 Eccles. xii. 1 20 17 Isaiah 1.10— 19 ib. 18 Isaiah ii. 2— 6 21 19 Isaiah ix. 2— 8 22 20 Isaiah xxvi. 1—7 23 21 Isaiah xxxiii. 13— 18 24 22 Isaiah xl. 27, to the end, 25 23 Isaiah xlii. 1—13 26 24 Isaiah xhx. 13—17 28 25 Isaiahliii 29 26 Isaiah lv 31 27 Isaiah lvii. 15, 16 33 28 Isaiah lviii. 5— 9 34 29 Lament, iii. 37—40 35 30 Hoseavi.l— 4 ib. 31 Micahvi. 6—9 36 32 Habak. iii. 17,18 37 33 Matth.vi.9— 14 38 34 Matth.xi,25, to the end, 39 35 Matth.xxvi.26— 29 40 No. Page 36 Lukei. 46—56 41 37 Luke ii- 8—15 ib. 38 Luke ii. 25— 33 42 39 Luke iv. 18, 19 44 40 Lukexv.13— 25 45 41 John iii. 14—19 46 42 John xiv. 1—7 47 43 John xiv. 25— 28 48 44 Johnxix.30 ib. 45 Romans ii. 4—8 49 46 Romans iii. 19— 22 50 47 Romans vi. 1 — 7 51 48 Romans viii. 31, to the end, ib. 49 1 Corinth, xiii 52 50 1 Corinth, xv. 52, to the end, 54 51 2 Corinth, v. 1—11 '56 52 Philip, ii. 6— 12 57 53 1 Thessal. iv. 13, tothe end, 58 54 2 Tim. i. 12 59 55 2 Tim. iv. 6, 7, 8, 18 60 56 Titus iii. 3—9 61 57 Heb. iv. 14, to the end, 62 58 Another version of the same passage, 63 59 Heb. xii.l— 13 64 60 Heb. xiii. 20, 21 65 61 lPet.i.3— 5 66 62 2 Pet. iii. 3— 14 67 63 Uohn iii. 1—4 '. 69 64 Rev.i.5— 9 ib. 65 Rev. v. 6, to the end 70 66 Rev. vii. 13, to the end, 71 67 Rev.xxi. 1— 9 72 HYMNS. Hymn I «75 Hymn II 77 Hymn III 78 Hymn IV 79 Hymn V 80 JAM*,. ANSLATIONS M PARAPHRASES, IN VET OF SEVERAL PASSAGES OF SACRED SCRIPTURE I. GENESIS i. 1 T ET heav'n arise, let earth appear, said the Almighty Lord : The heav'n arose, the earth appeared, at his creating word. 2 Thick darkness brooded o'er the deep : God said, " Let there be light :" The light shone forth with smiling ray, and scatter'd ancient night. 3 He bade the clouds ascend on high ; the clouds ascend, and bear A wat'ry treasure to the sky, and float upon the air. 1 4 The liquid element below was gather 'd by his hand ; The rolling seas together flow, and leave the solid land. 5 With herbs, and plants, and fruitful trees, the new-form'd globe he crown'd, Ere there was rain to bless the soil, or sun to warm the ground. 6 Then high inheav'n's resplendent arch he plac'd two orbs of light, He set the sun to rule the day, the moon to rule the night. 7 Next, from the deep, th' Almighty King did vital beings frame ; Fowls of the air of ev'ry wing, and fish of ev'ry name. 8 To all the various brutal tribes he gave their wondrous birth ; At once the lion and the worm sprung from the teeming earth. 9 Then, chief o'er all his works below, at last was Adam made ; His Maker's image bless'd his soul, and glory crown'd his head. 10 Fair in th' Almighty Maker's eye the whole creation stood. He view'd the fabrick he had raised ; his word pronounc'd it good. II. GENESIS xxviii. 20—22. 1 r\ God of Bethel ! by whose hand thy people still are fed ; Who through this weary pilgrimage hast all our fathers led : 2 Our vows, our pray'rs, we now present before thy throne of grace ; God of our fathers ! be the God of their succeeding race. 3 Through each perplexing path of life our wand 'ring footsteps guide ; Give us each day our daily bread, and raiment fit provide. 4 spread thycov'ring wings around, till all our wand'rings cease, And at our Father's lov'd abode our souls arrive in peace. 5 Such blessings from thy gracious hand our humble pray'rs implore ; And thou shalt be our chosen God. and portion evermore. III. JOB i. 21. 1 "M"AKED as from the earth we came, and enter'd life at first ; Naked we to the earth return, And mix with kindred dust. 2 Whatever we fondly call our own belongs to heav'n's great Lord ; 2 The blessings lent us for a day are soon to be restored. 3 'Tis God that lifts our comforts high, or sinks them in the grave : He gives; and, when he takes away, he takes but what be gave. 4 Then, ever blessed be his name ! his goodness swell'd our store ; His justice but resumes its own ; 'tis ours still to adore. IV. JOB iii. 17—20. 1 TTOW still and peaceful is the grave ! where, life's vain tumult's past, Th' appointed house, by Heav'n's decree, receives us all at last. 2 The wicked there from troubling cease, their passions rage no more ; And there the weary pilgrim rests from all the toils he bore. 3 There rest the prisoners, now releas'd from slavery's sad abode : No more they hear th' oppressor's voice, or dread the tyrant's rod. 4 There servants, masters, small and great, partake the same repose ; And there, in peace, the ashes mix of those who once were foes. 5 All, levell'dby the hand of Death, lie sleeping in the tomb ; Till God in judgment calls them forth, to meet their final doom. V. JOB v. 6—12. 1 HPHO' trouble springs not from the dust, nor sorrow from the ground ; Yet ills on ills, by Heav'n's decree, in man's estate are found. 2 As sparks in close succession rise, so man, the child of woe, Is doom'd to endless cares and toils through all his life below. 3 But with my God I leave my cause ; from him I seek relief; To him, in confidence of pray'r, unbosom all my grief. 4 Unnumber'd are his wondrous works, unsearchable his ways ; ? Tis his the mourning soul to cheer, The bowed down to raise. VI. JOB viii. 11—22. 1 T^HE rush may rise wheie waters flow, and flags beside the stream ; But soon their verdure fades and dies before the scorching beam : 2 So is the sinner's hope cut off; or, if it transient rise, 'Tis like the spider's airy web, from ev'ry breath that flies. 3 10 3 Fix'd on his house he leans ; his house and all its props decay ; He holds it fast ; but, while he holds, the tott'ring frame gives way. 4 Fair, in his garden, to the sun his boughs with verdure smile ; And, deeply fix'd, his spreading roots unshaken stand a while. 5 But forth the sentence flies from Heav'n, that sweeps him from his place ; which then denies him for its lord, nor owns it knew his face. 6 Lo ! this the joy of wicked men, who Heav'n's high laws despise : They quickly fall ; and in their room as quickly others rise. 7 But, for the just, with gracious care, God will his pow'r employ ; He'll teach their lips to sing his praise, and fill their hearts with joy. VII. JOB ix. 2—10. 1 TTOW should the son's of Adam's race be pure before their God ? If he contends in righteousness, we sink beneath his rod. 2 If he should mark my words and thoughts with strict inquiring eyes, Could I for one of thousand faults the least excuse devise ? 11 3 Strong is his arm, his heart is wise \ who dares with him contend ? Or who, that tries the unequal strife, shall prosper in the end ? 4 He makes the mountains feel his wrath, and their old seats forsake ; The trembling earth deserts her place, and all her pillars shake. 5 He bids the sun forbear to rise ; th' obedient sun forbears : His hand with sackcloth spreads the skies, and seals up all the stars. 6 He walks upon the raging sea ; flies on the stormy wind : None can explore his wondrous way, or his dark footsteps find. VIII. JOB xiv. 1—15. 1 "|7EW are thy days, and full of wo, O man, of woman born ! Thy doom is written, " Dust thou art, u and shalt to dust return." 2 Behold the emblem of thy state in flow'rs that bloom and die, Or in the shadow's fleeting form, that mocks the gazer's eye. 3 Guilty and frail, how shalt thou stand before thy sov 'reign Lord ? Can troubled and polluted springs a hallow 'd stream afford ? 12 4 Determined are the days that fly successive o'er thy head ; The numbered hour is on the wing that lays thee with the dead. 5 Great God ! afflict not in thy wrath the short allotted span, That bounds the few and w^eary days of pilgrimage to man. 6 All nature dies, and lives again : the flow'r that paints the field, The trees that crown the mountain's brow, and boughs and blossoms yield, 7 Resign the honors of their form at Winter's stormy blast, And leave the naked leafless plain a desolated waste. 8 Yet soon reviving plants and flow'rs anew shall deck the plain ; The woods shall hear the voice of Spring, and flourish green again. 9 But man forsakes this earthly scene, ah ! never to return : Shall any foll'wing spring revive the ashes of the urn ? 10 The mighty flood that rolls along its torrents to the main, Can ne'er recall its waters lost from that abyss again. 11 So days, and years, and ages past, descending down to night, 13 Can henceforth never more return back to the gates of light; 12 And man, when laid in lonesome grave, shall sleep in Death's dark gloom, Until th' eternal morning wake the slumbers of the tomb. 13 may the grave become to me the bed of peaceful rest, Whence I shall gladly rise at length, and mingle with the blest ! 14 Cheer'd by this hope, with patient mind, I'll wait Heav'n's high decree, Till the appointed period come, when death shall set me free. IX. JOB xxvi. 6, to the end. 1 Y^HO can resist th' Almighty arm that made the starry sky % Or who elude the certain glance of God's all-seeing eye 1 2 From him no covering vails our crimes ; hell opens to his sight ; And all Destruction's secret snares lie full disclos'd in light. 3 Firm on the boundless void of space he pois'd the steady pole, And in the circle of his clouds bade secret waters roll. 4 While nature's universal frame its Maker's pow'r reveals, 14 His throne, remote from mortal eyes, an awful cloud conceals. 5 From where the rising day ascends, to where it sets in night, He compasses the floods with bounds, and checks their threatening might. 6 The pillars that support the sky tremble at his rebuke ; Through all its caverns quakes the earth, as though its centre shook. 7 He brings the waters from their beds, although no tempest blows, And smites the kingdom of the proud without the hand of foes. 8 With bright inhabitants above he fills the heav'nly land, And all the crooked serpent's breed dismay'd before him stand. 9 Few of his works can we survey ; these few our skill transcend : But the full thunder of his pow-'r what heart can comprehend ? X. PROV. i. 20—31. 1 TN streets, and openings of the gates, where pours the busy crowd, Thus heav'nly Wisdom lifts her voice, and cries to men aloud : 2 How long, ye Bcorners of the truth, scornful will ye remain 7 15 How long shall fools their folly love, and hear my words in vain ? 3 turn, at last, at my reproof! and, in that happy hour, His bless'd effusions on your heart my Spirit down shall pour. 4 But since so long-, with earnest voice, to you in vain I call, Since all my counsels and reproofs thus ineffectual fall ; 5 The time will come, when humbled low, in Sorrow's evil day, Your voice by anguish shall be taught, but taught too late, to pray. 6 When, like the whirlwind, o'er the deep comes Desolation's blast : Pray'rs then extorted shall be vain, the hour of mercy past. 7 The choice you made has fix'd your doom ; for this is Heav'n's decree, That with the fruits of what he sow'd the sinner filPd shall be. XI. PROV. iii. 13—17. 1 r\ HAPPY is the man who hears Instruction's warning voice ; And who celestial Wisdom makes his early, only choice. 2 For she has treasures greater far than east or west unfold ; 16 And her rewards more precious are than all their stores of gold. 3 In her right hand she holds to view a length of happy days ; Riches, with splendid honours join'd, are what her left displays. 4 She guides the young with innocence, in pleasure's paths to tread, A crown of glory she bestows upon the hoary head. 5 According as her labours rise, so her rewards increase ; . Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. XII. PROV. vi. 6—12. 1 \TE indolent and slothful! rise, View the ant's labours, and be wise ; She has no guide to point her way, No ruler chiding her delay : 2 Yet see with what incessant cares She for the winter's storm prepares: In summer she provides her meat, And harvest finds her store complete. 3 But when will slothful man arise ? How long shall sleep seal up his eyes ? Sloth more indulgence still demands ; Sloth shuts the eyes, and folds the hands* 4 But mark the end ; want shall assail, When all your strength and vigour fail ; 17 Want, like an armed man, shall rush The hoary head of age to crush. XIII. PROV. viii. 22, to the end 1 TZEEP silence, all ye sons of men, and hear with rev'rence due ; Eternal Wisdom from above thus lifts her voice to you : 2 I was th' Almighty's chief delight from everlasting days, Ere yet his arm was stretched forth the heav'ns and earth to raise. 3 Before the sea began to flow, and leave the solid land, Before the hills and mountains rose, I dwelt at his right hand. 4 When first he rear'd the arch of heav'n, and spread the clouds on air, When first the fountains of the deep he open'd, I was there. 5 There I was with him, when he stretch'd his compass o'er the deep, And charg'd the ocean's swelling waves within their bounds to keep. 6 With joy I saw th' abode prepar'd which men were soon to fill : Them from the first of days I lov'd, unchang'd, I love them still. 7 Now therefore hearken to my words, ye children, and be wise : 2 18 Happy the man that keeps my ways ; the man that shuns them dies. 8 Where dubious paths perplex the mind, direction I afford ; Life shall be his that follows me, and favor from the Lord. 9 But he who scorns my sacred laws shall deeply wound his heart, He courts destruction who contemns the counsel I impart. XIV. ECCLES. vii. 2—6. 1 "V\7^HILE others crowd the house of mirth, and haunt the gaudy show, Let such as would with Wisdom dwell, frequent the house of woe. 2 Better to weep with those who weep, and share the afflicted's smart, Than mix with fools in giddy joys that cheat and wound the heart. 3 When virtuous sorrow clouds the face, and tears bedim the eye, The soul is led to solemn thought, and wafted to the sky. 4 The wise in heart revisit oft griefs dark sequester'd cell ; The thoughtless still with levity and mirth delight to dwell. 5 The noisy laughter of the fool is like the crackling sound 1 19 Of blazing thorns, which quickly fall in ashes to the ground. XV. ECCLES~ ix. 4, 5, 6, 10. A S long as life its term extends, Hope's blest dominion never ends ; For while the lamp holds on to burn, The greatest sinner may return. 2 Life is the season God hath giv'n To fly from hell and rise to heav'n : That day of grace fleets fast away, And none its rapid course can stay. 3 The living know that they must die ; But all the dead forgotten lie : Their mem'ry and there name is gone, Alike unknowing and unknown. 4 Their hatred and their love is lost, Their envy bury'd in the dust; They have no share in all that's done Beneath the circuit of the sun. 5 Then what thy thoughts design to do Still let thy hands with might pursue ; Since no device nor work is found, Nor wisdom underneath the ground. 6 In the cold grave, to which we haste, There are no acts of pardon past ; But fix'd the doom of all remains, And everlasting silence reigns. 20 XVI. ECCLES. xii. 1. 1 TN life's gay morn, when sprightly youth with vital ardour glows, And shines in all the fairest charms which beauty can disclose ; 2 Deep on thy soul, before its pow'rs are yet by vice enslav'd, Be thy Creator's glorious name and character engrav'd. 3 For soon the shades of grief shall cloud the sunshine of thy days ; And cares, and toils, in endless round, encompass all thy ways. 4 Soon shall thy heart the woes of age in mournful groans deplore, And sadly muse on former joys, that now return no more. XVII. ISAIAH i. 10—19. 1 "DULERS of Sodom! hear the voice of heav'n's eternal Lord ; Men of Gomorrah ! bend your ear submissive to his word. 2 'Tis thus he speaks : to what intent are your oblations vain ? Why load my altars witli your gifts, polluted and profane ? 3 Burnt-oflPringslong may blaze to hcav'n, and incense cloud the skies ; 21 The worship and the worshipper are hateful in my eyes. 4 Your rites, your fasts, your pray 'rs I scorn, and pomp of solemn days : I know your hearts are full of guile and crooked are your ways. 5 But cleanse your hands, ye guilty race, and cease from deeds of sin ; Learn in your actions to be just, and pure in heart within. 6 Mock not my name with honours vain, but keep my holy laws ; Do justice to the friendless poor, and plead the widow's cause. 7 Then though your guilty souls are stain'd with sins of crimson die, Yet, through my grace, with snow itself in whiteness they shall vie. XVIII. ISAIAH ii. 2—6. 1 "DEHOLD ! the mountain of the Lord in latter days shall rise On mountain tops above the hills, and draw the wond'ring eyes. 2 To this the joyful nations round, All tribes and tongues shall flow ; Up to the hill of God, they'll say, and to his house we'll go. 3 The beam that shines from Sion hill shall lighten ev'ry land ; 22 The King who reigns in Salem's tow'rs shall all the world command. 4 Among the nations he shall judge ; his judgments truth shall guide ; His sceptre shall protect the just, and quell the sinner's pride. 5 No strife shall rage, nor hostile feuds disturb those peaceful years ; To ploughshares men shall beat their to pruning-hooks their spears, [swords, 6 No longer hosts encount'ring hosts shall crowds of slain deplore : They hang the trumpet in the hall, and study war no more. 7 Come then, house of Jacob ! come to worship at his shrine ; And, walking in the light of God, with holy beauties shine. 1 XIX. ISAIAH ix. 2—8. HPHE race that long in darkness pin'd have seen a glorious light ; The people dwell in day, who dwelt in death's surrounding night. 2 To hail thy rise, thou better sun ! the gathering nations come, Joyous, as when the reapers bear the harvest treasures home. 3 For thou our burden hast rcmov'd, and quell'd th' oppressor's sway, 23 Quick as the slaughtered squadion's fell In Midian's evil day. 4 To us a Child of hope is born ; to us a son is giv'n ; Him shall the tribes of earth obey, him all the hosts of heav'n. 5 His name shall be the Prince of Peace, for evermore ador'd, The Wonderful, the Counsellor, the great and mighty Lord. 6 His pow'r increasing still shall spread, his reign no end shall know ; Justice shall guard his throne above, and peace abound below. XX. ISAIAH xxvi. 1—7. 1 TJOW glorious Sion's courts appear, the city of our God ! His throne he hath established here, Here fixed hislov'd abode. 2 Its walls, defended by his grace, no pow'r shall e'er overthrow, Salvation is its bulwark sure against th' assailing foe. 3 Lift up the everlasting gates, the doors wide open fling; Enter, ye nations, who obey the statutes of out King. 4 Here shall ye taste unmingled joys, and dwell in perfect peace, 4 24 Ye who have gnown JEHOVAH'S name, and trusted in his grace. 5 Trust in the Lord, for ever trust, and banish all your fears ; Strength in the Lord JEHOVAH dwells eternal as his years. 6 What though the wicked dwell on high, his arm shall bring them low ; Low as the caverns of the grave their lofty heads shall bow. 7 Along the dust shall then be spread their tow'rs that brave the skies : On them the needy's feet shall tread, and on their ruins rise. XXI. ISAIAH xxxiii. 13—18. 1 A TTEND, ye tribes that dwell remote, ye tribes at hand, give ear; Th' upright in heart alone have hope, the false in heart have fear. 2 The man who walks with God in truth, And ev'ry guile disdains ; Who hates to lift oppression's rod, and scorns its shameful gains ; 3 Whose soul abhors the impious bribe that tempts from truth to stray, And from th' enticing snares of vice who turns his eyes away : 4 His dwelling, 'midst the strength of rocks, shall ever stand secure ; 25 His Father will provide hi? bread, his water shall be sure. 5 For him the kingdom of the just afar doth glorious shine ; And he the King of kings shall see in majesty divine. XXII. ISAIAH xl. 27, to the end. 1 W HY P 0llr,st tnou fortn thine anxious despairing of relief, [plaint, As if the Lord o'erlooked thy cause, and did not heed thy grief 1 2 Hast thou not known, hast thounot heard, that firm remains on high The everlasting throne of Him who formM the earth and sky? 3 Art thou afraid his pow'r shall fail when conies thy evil day ? And can an all-creating arm grow weary or decay ? 4 Supreme in wisdom as in pow'r the Rock of ages stands ; Through him thou canst not see nor trace the working of his hands. 5 He gives the conquest to the weak, supports the fainting heart ; And courage in the evil hour his heavenly aid impart. 6 Mere human pow'er shall fast decay, and youthful vigour cease ; 5 26 But they who wait upon the Lord, in strength shall still increase. 7 They with unweary- cl feet shall tread the path of life divine ; With growing ardour onward move, with growing brightness shine. 8 On eagles 5 wings they mount, they soar, their wings are faith and love, Till, past the cloudy regions here, they rise to heaven above. XXIII. ISAIAH xlii. 1—13. 1 "DEHOLD my Servant ! see him rise exalted in my might ! Him have I chosen, and in him I place supreme delight. 2 On him, in rich effusion pour'd, my Spirit shall descend ; My truths and judgments he shall show to earth's remotest end. 3 Gentle and still shall be his voice, no threats from him proceed ; The smoking flax he shall not quench, nor break the bruised reed. 4 The feeble spark to flames he'll raise ; the weak will not despise ; Judgment he shall bring forth to truth, and make the fallen rise, 5 The progress of his zeal and pow'r shall never know decline, 21 Till foreign lands and distant isles receive the law divine. 6 He who erected heavn's bright arch, and bade the planets roll, Who peopled all the climes of earth, and form'd the human soul, 7 Thus saith the Lord, Thee have I rais'd my Prophet thee install ; In right Pve rais'd thee, and in strength 1 U succour whom I call. 8 I will establish with the lands a covenant in thee, To give the Gentile nations light, and set the prisoners free : 9 Asunder burst the gates of brass ; the iron fetters fall ; And gladsome light and liberty are straight restored to all. 10 I am the Lord, and by the name of great JEHOVAH known ; -No idol shall usurp my praise, nor mount into my throne. 11 Lo ! former scenes, predicted once, conspicuous rise to view ; And future scenes, predicted now, shall be accomplish'd too. 12 Sing to the Lord m joyful strains ! let earth his praise resound, Ye who upon the ocean dwell, and fill the isles around ! 6 28 13 city of the Lord! begin the universal song ; And let the scattered villages the cheerful notes prolong. 14 Let Kedar's wilderness afar lift up its lonely voice ; And let the tenants of the rock with accents rude rejoice ; 15 Till 'midst the streams of distant lands the islands sound his praise ; And all combined, with one accord, JEHOVAH'S glories raise. XXIV. ISAIAH xlix. 13—17. 1 VE heav'ns, send forth your song of ■*- earth, raise your voice below! [praise ! Let hills and mountains join the hymn, and joy through nature flow. 2 Behold how gracious is our God ! hear the consoling strains, In which he cheers our drooping hearts, and mitigates our pains. 3 Cease ye, when days of darkness come, in sad dismay to mourn, As if the Lord could leave his saints forsaken or forlorn. 4 Can the fond mother e'er forget the infant whom she boiv I Andean its plaintive cries be heard, nor move compassion more ! 29 5 She may forget : nature may foil a parent's heart to move ; But Sion on my heart shall dwell in everlasting love. 6 Full in my sight, upon my hands I have engrav'd heY name : My hands shall build her ruin'd walls, and raise her broken frame. 1 XXV. ISAIAH liii. JJOW few receive with cordial faith the tidings which we bring ? How few have seen the arm reveal'd Of heay'n's eternal King? 2 The Saviour comes ! no outward pomp bespeaks his presence nigh ; No earthly beauty shines in him to draw the carnal eye. 3 Fair as a beauteous tender flow'r amidst the desert grows, So slighted by a rebel race the heav'nly Saviour rose. 4 Rejected and despis'd of men, ^ behold a man of woe! Grief was his close companion still through all his life below. 5 Yet all the grief he felt were ours. ours were the woes he boiv : Pangs, not his own, his spotless soul with bitter anguish tore. 30 6 We held him as condemned by Heav'n, an outcast from his God, While for our sins he groan'd, he bled, Beneath his Father's rod. 7 His sacred blood hath wash'd our souls from sin's polluted stain ; His stripes have heal'd us, and his death reviv'd our souls again. 8 We all, like sheep, had gone astray in ruin's fatal road : On him were our transgressions laid ; he bore the mighty load. 9 Wrong'd and oppress'd, how meekly he in patient silence stood ! Mute, as the peaceful harmless lamb, When brought to shed its blood. 10 Who can his generation tell ] from prison see him led ! With impious shew of law condemn'd, and number'd with the dead. 11 'Midst sinners low in dust he lay ; the rich a grave supply 'd : Unspotted was his blameless life ; unstain'd by sin he dy'd. 12 Yet God shall raise his head on high, though thus he brought him low ; His sacred offring, when complete, shall terminate his woe. 13 For, saith the Lord, my pleasure then shall prosper in his hand ; 31 His shall a numerous offspring be, and still his honours stand. 14 His soul, rejoicing", shall behold the purchase of his pain ; And all the guilty whom he sav'd shall bless Messiah's reign. 15 He with the great shall share the spoil, and baffle all his foes ; Though rank- d with sinners, here he fell, a conqueror he rose. 16 He dy'd to bear the guilt of men, that sin might be forgiv'n : He lives to bless them and defend, and plead their cause in heav'n. XXVI. ISAIAH lv. 1 TTO ! ye that thirst, approach the spring where living waters flow : Free to that sacred fountain all without a price may go. 2 How long to streams of false delight will ye in crowds repair ? How long your strength and substance on trifles light as air ? [waste 3 My stores afford those rich supplies that health and pleasure give : Incline your ear, and come to me ; the soul that hears shall live. 4 With you a covenant I will make, that ever shall endure ; 32 The hope which gladden'd David's heart my mercy hath made sure. 5 Behold he comes ! your leader comes, with might and honour crown'd ; A witness who shall spread my name to earth's remotest bound. 6 See ! nations hasten to his call from ev'ry distant shore ; Isles, yet unknown, shall bow to him, and Israel's God adore. 7 Seek ye the Lord while yet his ear is open to your call ; While offer'd mercy still is near, before his footstool fall. 8 Let sinners quit their evil ways, their evil thoughts foiego : And God, when they to him return, returning grace will show. 9 He pardons with o'er flowing love : for, hear the voice divine ! My nature is not like to yours, nor like your ways are mine : 10 But far as heavn's resplendent orbs beyond earth's spot extend, As far my thoughts, as far my ways, your ways and thoughts transcend* 11 And as the rains from heav'n distil, nor thither mount again, But swell the earth with fruitful juice, and all its tribes sustain : 33 12 So not a word that flows from me shall ineffectual fall ; But universal nature prove obedient to my call. 13 With joy and peace shall then be led the glad converted lands ; The lofty mountains then shall sing, the forests clap their hands. 14 Where briers grew 'midst barren wilds, shall firs and myrtles spring ; And nature, through its utmost bounds, eternal praises sing. XXVII. ISAIAH lvii. 15, 16. 1 'pHUS speaks the high and lofty One ; ye tribes of earth give ear ; The words of your Almighty King with sacred rev'rence hear : 2 Amidst the majesty of heav'n my throne is fix'd on high ; And" through eternity I hear the praises of the sky : 3 Yet looking down, I visit oft the humble hallow 5 d cell; And with the* penitent who mourn 'tis my delight to dwell ; 4 The downcast spirit to revive. the sad in soul to cheer; And from the bed of dust the man of heart contrite to rear. 34 5 With me dwells no relentless wrath against the human race ; The souls which I have form'd shall find a refuge in my grace. XXVIII. ISAIAH lviii. 5—9. 1 A TTEND, and mark the solemn fast which to the Lord is dear ; Disdain the false unhallowM mask which vain dissemblers wear. 2 Do I delight in sorrow's dress ? saith he who reigns above ; The hanging head and rueful look, will they attract my love ? 3 Let such as feel oppression's load thy tender pity share ; Andletthe helpless, homeless poor, be thy peculiar care. 4 Go, bid the hungry orphan be with thy abundance blest ; Invite the wand'rer to thy gate, and spread the couch ofVest. 5 Let him w T ho pines with piercing cold by thee be warm'd and clad ; Be thine the blissful task to make the downcast mourner glad. 6 Then, bright as morning, shall come forth, in peace and joy thy days ; And glory from the Lord above shall shine on all thy ways. 35 XXIX. LAMENT, iii. 37—40. 1 A .MIDST the mighty, where is he -iT\. who saith, and it is done ? Each varying scene of changeful life is from the Lord alone. 2 He gives in gladsome bow'rs to dwell, or clothes in sonow's shroud ; His hand hath form'd the light, his hand hath form'd the darkening cloud. 3 Why should a living man complain beneath the chastening rod ? Our sins afflict us ; and the cross must bring us back to God. 4 sons of men ! with anxious care your hearts and ways explore ; Return from paths of vice to God : return, and sin no more ! XXX. HOSEA vi. 1—4. 1 /^OME, let us to the Lord our God with contrite hearts return ; Our God is gracious, nor will leave the desolate to mourn. 2 His voice commands the tempest forth, and stills the stormy wave ; And though his arm be strong to smite, 'tis also strong to save. 3 Long hath the night of sorrow reign'd ; the dawn shall bring us light : 36 God shall appear, and we shall rise with gladness in his sight. 4 Our hearts, if God we seek to know, shall know him, and rejoice ; His coming like the morn shall be, like morning songs his voice. 5 As clew upon the tender herb, diffusing fragrance round ; As show'rs that usher in the spring, and cheer the thirsty ground : 6 So shall his presence bless oui souls, and shed a joyful light ; That hallow'd morn shall chase away the sorrows of the night. XXXI. MICAH vi. 6—9. 1 T^HUS speaks the heathen : how shall the Pow'r Supreme adore ? [man With what accepted off'rings come his mercy to implore ? 2 Shall clouds of incense to the skies with grateful odour speed 1 Or victims from a thousand hills upon the altar bleed? 3 Does justice nobler blood demand to save the sinner's life ? Shall, trembling, in his offspring's side the father plunge the knife ? 4 No : God rejects the bloody rites which blindfold zeal began ; 37 His oracles of truth proclaim the message brought to man. 5 He what is good hath clearly shown, favour'd race ! to thee ; And what doth God require of those who bend to him the knee ? 6 Thy deeds let sacred justice rule ; thy heart let mercy fill ; And, walking humbly with thy God, to him resign thy will. XXXII. HABAK. hi. 17, 18. 1 "XlfHAT tho' no flow'rs the fig-tree tho' vines their fruit deny, [clothe, The labour of the olive fail, and fields no meat supply? 2 Though from the fold, with sad surprise, my flock cut off I see ; Though famine pine in empty stalls, where herds were wont to be ? 3 Yet in the Lord will I be glad, and glory in his love ; In him I'll joy, who will the God of my salvation prove. 4 He to my tardy feet shall lend the swiftness of the roe ; Till, rais'don high, I safely dwell beyond the reach of woe. 5 God is the treasure of my soul, the source of lasting joy ; 38 A joy which want shall not impair, nor death itself destroy. XXXIII. MATTH. vi. 9—14. 1 ipATHER of all! we bow to thee, who dwell'st in heav'n ador'd ; But present still through all thy works, the universal Lord. 2 For ever hallow 'd be thy name by all beneath the skies ; And may thy kingdom still advance, till grace to glory rise. 3 A grateful homage may we yield, with hearts risign'd to thee ; and as in heav'n thy will is done, on earth so let it be. 4 From day to day we humbly own the hand that feeds us still : Give us our bread, and teach to rest contented in thy will. 5 Our sins before thee we confess ; may they be forgiv'n ! As we to otheis mercy show, we mercy beg from Heav'n. 6 Still let thy grace our life direct; from evil guard our way ; And in temptation's fatal path permit us not to stray. 7 For thine the pow'r, the kingdom thine all glory's due to thee : 39 1 Thine from eternity they were, and thine shall ever be. XXXIV. MATTH. xi. 2b, to the end. 'J'HUS spoke the Saviour of the world, and rais'd his eyes to heav'n : To thee, Father ! Lord of all, eternal praise be giv'n. 2 Thou to the pure and lowly heart hast heavenly truth reveal'd ; Which from the self-conceited mind thy wisdom hath conceaPd. 3 Ev'n so ! thou, Father, hast ordain'd thy high decree to stand ; Nor men nor angels may presume the reason to demand. 4 Thou only know'st the Son : from thee iny kingdom I receive ; And none the Father know but they who in the Son believe. 5 Come then to me, all ye who groan, with guilt and fears opprest ; Resign to me the willing heart, and I will give you rest. 6 Take up my yoke, and learn of me the meek and lowly mind ; And thus your weary troubled souls repose and peace shall find. 7 For light and gentle is my voke ; the burden I impose 40 Shall ease the heart, which groan'd before beneath a load of woes. XXXV. MATTH. xxvi. 26—29 1 5r PWAS on that night, when doom'd to The eager rage of ev'ry foe, [know That night in which he was betray 'd, The Saviour of the world took bread : 2 And, after thanks and glory giv'n To him that rules in earth and heav'n, That symbol of his flesh he broke, And thus to all his foll'wers spoke : 3 My broken body thus I give For you, for all ; take, eat, and live ; And oft the sacred rite renew, That brings my wondrous love to view. 4 Then in his hands the cup he rais'd, And God anew he thank'd and prais'd ; While kindness in his bosom glow'd, And from his lips salvation llow'd : 5 My blood I thus pour forth, he cries, To cleanse the soul in sin that lies; In this the covenant is seal'd, And Heav'n's eternal grace reveaPd. 6 With love to man this cup is fraught, Let all partake the sacred draught ; Through latest ages let it pour, In mem'ry of my dying hour. 41 XXXVI. LUKE i. 46—56. 1 A FY soul and spirit, filPd with jc A my God am I S .se, Wh - luess did from his humble handmaid r: 8 Me bless 3 I < !od, the God c j all ages shall p: From age to age his mercy lasts, and holy is his name. 3 Strength with his arm th" Almighty the proud h M ; [sh<: II- :: il the mighty to the groi the meek to honour -' L 4 The hungry _ ood things were fill'd. the rich with hunger pin 3 He sent his servant Isr % el help, and call\l his love to mind. 5 Which to our fathers' ancient race - promise did ensure, Abraham and his chosen seed, for evei to endure. XXXVII. LUKE ii. B— 15. 1 AVHILE humble shepherds their flocks in Bethleh'm's plains by night, An angel sent from heav'n appear'd, and lilTd the plains with liurlit. 2 Feai not. he said, (forsudden «.i. had seiz'd th< bled mind;) 1 42 Glad tidings of great joy I bring to you, and all mankind. 3 To you, in David's town, this day is born, of David's line, The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord ; and this shall be the sign : 4 The heav'nly Babe you there .shall find to human view displayed, All meanly wrapt in swaddling bands, and in a manger laid. 5 Thus spake the seraph ; and forthwith appeared a shining throng Of angels, praising God ; and thus address'd their joyful song: 6 All glory be to God on high, and to the earth be peace ; Good-will is shown by Heav'n to men, and never more shall cease. XXXVIII. LUKE ii. 25—33. 1 TUST and devout old Simeon liv'd ; to him it was reveaPd, That Christ, the Lord, his eyes should see ere death his eyelids seaPd. 2 For this consoling gift of Heav'n to Isr'Ps fallen state, From year to ye^r with patient hope the aged saint did wait. 3 Nor did he wait in vain ; for, lo ! revolving years brought round, 43 In season due, the happy day, which all his wishes crown'd. 4 When Jesus, to the temple brought by Mary's pious care, As Heav'n's appointed rites required, to God was offer'd there. 5 Simeon into those sacred courts a heav'nly impulse drew ; He saw the Virgin hold her son, and straight his Lord he knew. 6 With holy joy upon his face the good old father smiPd ; Then fondly in his withered arms he clasp'd the promised child : 7 And while he held the heav'n-born Babe, ordain'd to bless mankind, Thus spoke, with earnest look, and heart exulting, yet resigned : 8 Now, Lord ! according to thy word, let me in peace depart ; Mine eyes have thy salvation seen, and gladness fills my heart. 9 At length my arms embrace my Lord, now let their vigour cease ; At last my eyes my Saviour see, now let them close in peace. 10 This great salvation, long prepared, and now disclos'd to view, Hath prov'd thy love was constant still, and promises were true. 8 44 11 That Sun I now behold, whose light shall heathen darkness chase, And rays of brightest glory pour around thy chosen race. XXXIX. LUKE iv. 18, 19. 1 TTARK, the glad sound, the Saviour - I - L the Saviour promised long ; [comes ! Let ev'ry heart exult with joy, and ev'ry voice be song ! 2 On him the Spirit, largely shed, exerts its sacred fire ; Wisdom and might, and zeal and love, his holy breast inspire. 3 He comes ! the prisoners to relieve, in Satan's bondage held ; The gates of brass before him burst, the iron fetters yield. 4 He comes ! from darkening scales of vice to clear the inward sight ; And on the eye-balls of the blind to pour celestial light. 5 He comes ! the broken hearts to bind, the bleeding souls to cure ; And with the treasures of his grace t' enrich the humble poor. 6 The sacred year has now revolv'd, accepted of the Lord, When Heav'n'shigh promise is fulfilt'd, and Isr'el is restored. 45 7 Our glad hosannahs, Prince of Peace ! thy welcome shall proclaim ; And heav'n's exalted arches ring with thy most honour 'd name. XL. LUKE xv. 13—25. 1 ^HE wretched prodigal behold, in mis'ry lying low, Whom vice had sunk from high estate, and plung'd in want and woe. 2 While I, despis'd and scorn'd, he cries, starve in a foreign land, The meanest in my father's house is fed with bounteous hand : 3 I'll go, and with a mourning voice, fall down before his face : Father ! I've sinn'd 'gainst Heav'n and nor can deserve thy grace. [thee, 4 He said, and hasten'd to his home, to seek his father's love : The father sees him from afar, and all his bowels move. 5 He ran, and fell upon his neck, embrae'd and kiss'd his son : The grieving prodigal bewail'd the follies he had done. 6 No more, my father, can I hope to find paternal grace ; My utmost wish is to obtain a servant's humble place. 9 46 7 Bring forth the fairest robe for him, the joyful father said ; To him each mark of grace be shown, and ev'ry honour paid. 8 A day of feasting I ordain ; let mirth and song abound : My son was dead, and lives again ! was lost, and now is found ! 9 Thus joy abounds in paradise among the hosts of heav'n, Soon as the sinner quits his sins, repents, and is forgiv'n. XLI. JOHN iii. 14—19. 1 A S when the Hebrew prophet rais'd the brazen serpent high, The wounded look'd, and straight were the people ceas'd to die : [cur'd, 2 So from the Saviour on the cross a healing virtue flows ; Who looks to him with lively faith is sav'd from endless woes. 3 For God gave up his Son to death, so gen'rous was his love, That all the faithful might enjoy eternal life above. 4 Not to condemn the sons of men the Son of God appeared ; No weapons in his hand are seen, nor voice of terror heard : 47 5 He came to raise our fallen state, and our lost hopes restore : Faith leads us to the mercy-seat, and bids us fear no more. 6 But vengence just for ever lies on all the rebel race, Who God's eternal Son despise, and scorn his offer 'd grace. XLII. JOHN xiv. 1—7. 1 T ET not your hearts with anxious be troubled or dismayed ; [thoughts But trust in Providence divine, and trust my gracious aid. 2 I to my Father's house return ; there numerous mansions stand, And glory manifold abounds through all the happy land. 3 I go your entrance to secure, and your abode prepare ; Regions unknown are safe to you, when I, your friend, am there. 4 Thence shall I come, when ages close, to take you home with me ; There we shall meet to part no more, and still together be. 5 I am the way, the truth, the life : no son of human race, But such as I conduct and guide, shall see my Father's face. 48 XLIII. JOHN xiv. 25—28. 1 VOU now must hear my voice no more ; my Father calls me home ; But soon from heav'n the Holy Ghost, your Comforter, shall come. 2 That heav'nly Teacher, sent from God, shall your whole soul inspire ; Your minds shall fill with sacred truth, your hearts with sacred fire. 3 Peace is the gift I leave with you ; my peace to you bequeath ; Peace that shall comfort you through life, and cheer your souls in death. 4 I give not as the world bestows, with promise false and vain ; Nor cares, nor fears, shall wound the heart in which my words remain. XLIV. JOHN xix. 30. 1 "DEHOLD the Saviour on the cross, a spectacle of woe ! See from his agonizing wounds the blood incessant flow ; 2 Till death's pale ensigns o'er his cheek and trembling lips were spread ; Till light forsook his closing eyes, and life his drooping head ! 3 'Tis finished — was his latest voice ; these sacred accents o'er, 49 He bow'd his head, gave up the ghost, and suffered pain no more. 4 'Tis finished — The Messiah dies ^ for sins, but not his own ; The great redemption is complete, and Satan's pow'r overthrown. 5 'Tis finish 'd — All his groans are past ; his blood, his pain, and toils, Have fully vanquished our foes, and crown'd him with their spoils. 6 'Tis fmish'd— Legal worship ends, and gospel ages run ; All old things now are past away, and a new world begun. XLV. ROMANS ii. 4—8. 1 IJNGRATEFUL sinners ! whence this of God's long-suff'ring grace ? [scorn And whence this madness that insults th' Almightly to his face ? 2 Is it because his patience waits, and pitying bowels move, You multiply transgressions more, and scorn his offer'd love ? 3 Dost thou not know, self-blinded man ! his goodness is design'd To wake repentance in thy soul, and melt thy harden'd mind I 4 And wilt thou rather chuse to meet th' Almighty as thy foef, 50 And treasure up his wrath in store against the day of woe 1 5 Soon shall that fatal day approach that must thy sentence seal, And righteous judgments, now unknown, in awful pomp reveal ; 6 While they, who full of holy deeds to glory seek to rise, Continuing patient to the end, shall gain th ? immortal prize. XLVI. ROMANS iii. 19—22. 1 "\TAIN are the hopes the sons of men upon their works have huilt ; Their hearts by nature are unclean, their actions full of guilt. 2 Silent let Jew and Gentile stand, without one vaunting word ; And, humbled low, confess their guilt before heav'n's righteous Lord. 3 No hope can on the law be built of justifying grace ; The law, that shows the sinner's guilt, condemns him to his face. 4 Jesus! how glorious is thy grace ! when in thy name we trust, Our faith receives a righteousness that makes the sinner just. 51 XLVII. ROMANS vi. 1—7. 1 A ND shall we then go on to sin, that grace may more abound ? Great God forbid that such a thought should in our breast be found! 2 When to the sacred fount we came, did not the rite proclaim, That, wash'd from sin, and all its stains, new creatures we became 1 3 With Christ the Lord we dy'd to sin ; with him to life we rise, To life, which now begun on earth, is perfect in the skies. 4 Too long enthralPd to Satan's sway, we now are slaves no more ; For Christ hath vanquished death and sin, Our freedom to restore. XLVIII. ROMANS viii. 31, to the end. 1 T ET Christian faith and hope dispel -^ the fears of guilt and woe ; The Lord Almighty is our friend, and who can prove a foe ? 2 He who his Son, most dear and lov'd, gave up for us to die, Shall he not all things freely give that goodness can supply ? 3 Behold the best, the greatest gift, of everlasting love ! 52 Behold the pledge of peace below, and perfect bliss above ! 4 Where is the judge who can condemn, since God hath justify'd ? Who shall charge those with guilt or crime for whom the Saviour dy'd ? 5 The Saviour dy'd, but rose again triumphant from the grave ; And pleads our cause at God's right hand, omnipotent to save, 6 Who then can e'er divide us more from Jesus and his love, Or break the sacred chain that binds the earth to heav'n above ? 7 Let troubles rise, and terrors frown, and days of darkness fall ; Through him all dangers we'll defy, and more than conquer all. 8 Nor death nor life, nor earth nor hell, nor time's destroying sway, Can e'er efface us from his heart, or make his love decay. 9 Each future period that will bless as it has bless'd the past ; He lov'd us from the first of time, he loves us to the last. XLIX. 1 CORINTH, xhi. 1 HHHOUGH perfect eloquence adorn'd my sweet persuading tongue ; 53 Though I could speak in higher strains than ever angel sung ; 2 Though prophecy my soul inspir'd, and made all myst'ries plain ; Yet, were I void of Christian love, these gifts were all in vain. 3 Nay, though my faith with boundless ev'n mountains could remove [pow'r I still am nothing, if Pm void of charity and love. 4 Although, with lib'ral hand, I gave my goods the poor to feed, Nay, gave my body to the flames, still fruitless were the deed. 5 Love suffers long, love envies not ; but love is ever kind ; She never boasteth of herself, nor proudly lifts the mind : 6 Love harbours no suspicious thought, is patient to the bad ; Griev'd when she hears of sins and crimes, and in the truth is glad. 7 Love no unseemly carriage shews, nor selfishly confin'd ; She glows with social tenderness, And feels for all mankind : 8 Love beareth much, much she believes, and still she hopes the best ; Love meekly suffers many a wrong, though sore with hardship press'd. 54 9 Love still shall hold an endless reign in earth and heav'n above, When tongues shall cease and prophets and ev'ry gift but love. [fail. 10 Here all our gifts imperfect are ; but better days draw nigh, When perfect light shall pour its rays, and all those shadows fly. 11 Like children here we speak and think, amus'd with childish toys ; Butwhenourpow'rs their manhood reach, we'll scorn our present joys. 12 Now dark and dim, as through a glass, are God and truth beheld ; Then shall we see as face to face, and God shall be unveiPd. 13 Faith, Hope, and Love, now dwell on and earth by them is blest ; [earth, But Faith and Hope must yield to Love, of all the graces best. 14 Hope shall to full fruition rise, and Faith be sight above ; These are the means, but this the end ; for saints forever love. L. 1 CORINTH, xv. 52, to the end. 1 YyHEN the last trumpet's awful voice this rending earth shall shake ; When opening graves shall yield their and dust to life awake ; [charge, 55 2 Those bodies that corrupted fell shall incorrupted rise, And mortal forms shall spring to life, immortal in the skies. 3 Behold, what heavenly prophets sung is now at last fulfilled, That death should yield his ancient reign, and, vanquished, quit the field. 4 Let Faith exalt her joyful voice, and thus begin to sing ; Grave ! where is thy triumph now ; and where, death ! thy sting 1 5 Thy sting was sin and conscious guilt, 'twas this that arm'd thy dart ; The law gave sin its strength and force to pierce the sinner's heart : 6 But God, whose name be ever bless'd ! disarms that foe we dread, And makes us conquerors when we die, through Christ our living head. 7 Then stedfast let us still remain, though dangers rise around, and in the work prescribed by God yet more and more abound ; 8 Assur'd that though we labour now, we labour not in vain, But, through the grace of heav'ns great th' eternal crown shall gain. [Lord, 56 LI. 2 CORINTH, v. 1—11. 1 ^OON shall this earthly frame, dissolved, in death and ruins lie ; But better mansions wait the just, prepared above the sky. 2 An house eternal, built by God, shall lodge the holy mind, When once those prison-walls have fall'n by which 'tis now confin'd. 3 Hence, burden'd with a weight of clay, we groan beneath the load, Waiting the hour which sets us free, and brings us home to God. 4 We know, that when the soul, uncloth'd, shall from this body fly, ? Twill animate a purer frame with life that cannot die. 5 Such are the hopes that cheer the just ; these hopes their God hath giv'n ; His Spirit is the earnest now, and seals their souls for heav'n. 6 We walk by faith of joys to come, faith grounded on his word ; But while this body is our home, We mourn an absent Lord. 7 What faith rejoices to believe, we long and pant to see ; We would be absent from the flesh, and present, Lord ! with thee. 57 8 But still, or here, or going hence, to this our labours tend, That, in his service spent, our life may in his favour end. 9 For, lo ! before the Son, as judge, th' assembled world shall stand, To take the punishment or prize from his unerring hand. 10 Impartial retributions then our different lives await; Our present actions, good or bad, shall fix our future fate. LII. PHILIP, ii. 6—12. 1 VE who the name of Jesus bear, his sacred steps pursue ; And let that mind which was in him be also found in you. 2 Though in the form of God he was, his only Son declard'd, Nor to be equally ador'd as robb'ry did regard ; 3 His greatness he for us abas'd, for us his glory vail'd ; In human likeness dwelt on earth, his majesty conceal'd : 4 Nor only as a man appears, but stoops a servant low ; Submits to death, nay, bears the cross, in all its shame and woe. 58 5 Hence God thisgen'rous love to men with honours just hath crown'd, And rais'd the name of Jesus far above all names renown'd : 6 That at this name, with sacred awe, each humble knee should bow, Of hosts immortal in the skies, and nations spread below : 7 That all the prostrate powers of hell might tremble at his word, And ev'ry tribe, and ev'ry tongue, confess that he is Lord. LIIL 1 THESSAL. iv. 13, to the end. 1 T^AKE comfort, Christians, when your in Jesus fall asleep ; [friends Their better being never ends ; why then dejected weep ? 2 Why inconsolable, as those to whom no hope is giv'n ? Death is the messenger of peace, and calls the soul toheav'n. 3 As Jesus dy'd, and rose again victorious from the dead ; So his disciples rise, and reign with their triumphant Head. [clouds 4 The time draws nigh when from the Christ shall with shouts descend, And the last trumpet's awful voice the heav'ns and earth shall rend. 59 5 Then they who live shall changed be, and they who sleep shall wake ; The graves shall yield their ancient and earth's foundation shake, [charge, 6 The saints of God, from death set free, with joy shall mount on high ; The heavenly host w r ith praises loud shall meet them in the sky. 7 Together to their Father's house with joyful hearts they go ; And dwell forever with the Lord, beyond the reach of woe. S A few short years of evil past, we reach the happy shore, Where death-divided friends at last shall meet, to part no more. J LIV. 2 TIM. i. 12 T\M not asham'd to own my Lord, or to defend his cause, Maintain the glory of his cross, and honour all his laws. 2 Jesus, my Lord ! I know his name, his name is all my boast ; Nor would he put my soul to shame, nor let my hope be lost. 3 I know that safe with him remains, protected by his pow'r, What I've committed to his trust, till the decisive hour. 10 60 4 Then will he own his servant's name before his Father's face, And in the New Jerusalem appoint my soul a place. LV. 2 TIM. iv. 6, 7, 8, 18. 1 1V/TY race is run ; my warfare's o'er ; the solemn hour is nigh, When, offer'd up to God, my soul shall wing its flight on high. 2 With heav'nly weapons I have fought the battles of the Lord ; Finish'd my course, and kept the faith, depending on his word. 3 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown which cannot fade ; The righteous Judge at that great day shall place it on my head. 4 Nor hath the Sov'reign Lord decreed this prize for me alone ; But for all such as love like me th' appearance of his Son. 5 From ev'ry snare and evil w r ork his grace shall me defend, And to his hcav'nly kingdom safe shall bring me in the end. 61 LVI. TITUS Hi. 3—9. 1 TTOW wretched was our former state, when, slaves to Satan's sway, With hearts disorder 'd and impure, o'erwhelm'd in sin we lay ! 2 But, my soul ! for ever praise, for ever love his name, Who turn'd thee from the fatal paths of folly, sin, and shame. 3 Vain and presumptuous is the trust which in our works we place, Salvation from a higher source flows to the human race. 4 'Tis from the mercy of our God that all our hopes begin ; His mercy sav'd our souls from death, and wash'd our souls from sin. 5 His Spirit, through the Saviour shed, its sacred fire imparts, Refines our dross, and love divine rekindles in our hearts. 6 Thence rais'd from death, w r e live anew ; and, justify 'd by grace, We hope in glory to appear, and see our Father's face. 7 Let all who hold this faith and hope in holy deeds abound ; Thus faith approves itself sincere, by active virtue crown'd. 62 LVII. HEB. iv. 14, to the end. 1 JESUS, the Son of God, who once for us his life resign'd, Now lives in heav'n, our great High Priest, and never-dying friend. 2 Through life, through death, let us to him with constancy adhere ; Faith shall supply new strength, and hope shall banish ev'ry fear. 3 To human weakness not severe is our High Priest above ; His heart o'erflows with tenderness, his bowels melt with love. 4 With sympathetick feelings touch'd, he knows our feeble frame ; He knows what sore temptations are, for he has felt the same. 5 But though he felt temptation's pow T 'r, unconquer'd he remained ; Nor 'midst the frailty of our frame, by sin was ever stain'd. 6 As, in the days of feeble flesh, he pour'd forth cries and tears ; So, though exalted, still he feels what ev'ry Christian bears. 7 Then let us, with a filial heart, come boldly to the throne Of grace supreme, to tell our griefs, and all our wants make known : 63 8 That mercy we may there obtain for sins and errors past, And grace to help in time of need, while days of trial last. LVIII Another version of the same passage. 1 Y\rHERE high the heav'nly temple stands, The house of God not made with hands, A great High Priest our nature wears, The guardian of mankind appears. 2 He who for men their surety stood, And pour'd on earth his precious blood, Pursues in heav'n his mighty plan, The Saviour and the friend of man. 3 Though now ascended up on high, He bends on earth a brother's eye ; Partaker of the human name, He knows the frailty of our frame. 4 Our fellow-suff'rer yet retains A fellow-feeling of our pains ; And still remembers in the skies His tears, his agonies, and cries. 5 In ev'iy pang that rends the heart, The Man of sorrows had a part ; He sympathizes with our grief, And to the sufPrer sends relief. 6 With boldness, therefore, at the throne, Let us make all our sorrows known ; 10* 64 And ask the aids of heav'nly pow'r To help us in the evil hour. LIX. HEB. xii. 1—13. 1 DEHOLD what witnesses unseen encompass us around; Men, once like us, with sufferings try'd, but now with glory crown'd. 2 Let us, with zeal like theirs inspired, begin the Christian race, And, freed from each encumb'ring weight, their holy footsteps trace. 3 Behold a witness nobler still, who trod affliction's path, Jesus, at once the finisher and author of our faith. 4 He for the joy before him set, so gen'rous was his love, Endur'd the cross, despis'd the shame, and now he reigns above. 5 If he the scorn of wicked men with patience did sustain, Becomes it those for whom he dy'd to murmur or complain ? 6 Have ye like him to blood, to death, the cause of truth maintain'd ? And is your heav'nly Father's voice forgotten or disdain 'd ? 7 My son, saith he, with patient mind enduie the chastening rod ; 65 Believe, when by afflictions try'cL that thou art lov'd by God. 8 His children thus most dear to him their heav'nly Father trains, Through all the hard experience led of sorrows and of pains. 9 We know he owns us for his sons, when we correction share ; Nor wander as a bastard race, without our Father's care. 10 A father's voice with rev'rence We on earth have often heard ; The Father of our spirits now demands the same regard. 11 Paients may err ; but he is wise, nor lifts the rod in vain ; His chast'aingB serve to cure the soul by salutary pain. 12 Affliction, when it spreads around, may seem a field of woe ; Yet there, at last, the happy fruits of righteousness shall grow. 13 Then let our hearts no more despond, our hands be weak no more ; Still let us trust our Father's love, his wisdom still adore. LX. PIEB. xiii. 20, 21. 1 JTATHER of peace, and God of love ! we own thy pow'r to save, 66 \That pow'r by which our .Shepherd rose victorious o'er the grave. 2 Him from the dead thou brought'st again, when, by his sacred blood, Confirmed and seaPd for evermore, the eternal covenant stood. 3 may thy Spirit seal our souls, and mould them to thy will, That our weak hearts no more may stray, but keep thy precepts still ; 4 That to perfection's sacred height we nearer still may rise, And all we think, and all we do, be pleasing in thine eyes. LXL 1 PET. i. 3—5. 1 "DLESS'D be the everlasting God, the Father of our Lord ; Be his abounding mercy prais'd, his majesty ador'd. 2 When from the dead he rais'd his Son, and calPd him to the sky, He gave our souls a lively hope that they should never die. 3 To an inheritance divine he taught our hearts to rise ; 'Tis uncorrupted, undefiPd, unfading in the skies. 4 Saints by the pow'r of God are kept till the salvation come : 1 67 We walk by faith as strangers here ; but Christ shall call us home. LXII. 2 PET. iii. 3—14 f" ! in the last of days behold a faithless race arise ; Their lawless lust their only rule ; and thus the scoffer cries ; 2 Where is the promise, deem'd so true, that spoke the Saviour near ? E'er since our fathers slept in dust, no change has reach'd our ear. 3 Years roll'd on years successive glide, since first the world began, And on the tide of time still floats, secure, the bark of man. 4 Thus speaks the scoffer; but his words conceal the truth he knows, That from the waters' dark abyss the earth at first arose. 5 But when the sons of men began with one consent to stray, At Heav'n's command a deluge swept the godless lace away. 6 A different fate is now prepar'd for Nature's trembling frame; Soon shall her orbs be all enwrapt in one devouring flame. 7 Reserved are sinners for the hour when to the gulf below, 68 Arm'd with the hand of sov'reign pow'r* the Judge consigns his foe. 8 Though now, ye just ! the time appears protract'd, dark, unknown, an hour, a day, a thousand years, to heav'n's great Lord are one. 9 Still all may share his sov'reign grace, in ev'ry change secure ; The meek, the suppliant contrite race shall find his mercy sure. 10 The contrite race he counts his friends, forbids the suppliant's fall ; Condemns reluctant, but extends the hope of grace to all. 11 Yet, as the night-wrapt thief, who lurks to seize th' expected prize, Thus steals the hour, when Christ shall and thunder rend the skies. [come, 12 Then at the loud, the solemn peel, the heav'ns shall burst away; The elements shall melt in flame at Nature's final day. 13 Since all this frame of things, must end, as Heav'n has so decreed, How wise our inmost thoughts to guard, and watch o'er ev'ry deed ; 14 Expecting calm th' appointed hour, when, Nature's conflict o'er, A new and better world shall rise, where sin is known no more. 69 LXIII. 1 JOHN iii. 1—4. 1 TOEHOLD th> amazing gift of love the Father hath bestow 'd On us, the sinful sons of men, to call us sons of God ! 2 Conceal'd as yet this honour lies, by this dark world unknown, A world that knew not when he came, even God's eternal son. 3 High is the rank we now possess, but higher we shall rise ; Though what we shall hereafter be is hid from mortal eyes : 4 Our souls, we know, when he appears, shall bear his image bright; For all his glory, full disclos'd, shall open to our sight. 5 A hope so great, and so divine, may trials well endure; And purge the soul from sense and sin, as Christ himself is pure. LXIV. REV. i. 5—9. 1 'J'O him that lov'd the souls of men, and wash'd us in his blood, To royal honours rais'd our head, and made us priests to God ; 2 To him let ev'ry tongue be praise, and ev'ry heart be love ! 70 All grateful honours paid on earth, and nobler songs above ! 3 Behold, on flying clouds he comes ! his saints shall bless the day ; While they that pierc'd him sadly mourn in anguish and dismay. 4 I am the First, and I the Last ; time centres all in me ; TV Almighty God, who was and is, and evermore shall be. LXV. REV. v. 6, to the end. 1 T5EHOLD the glories of the Lamb -° amidst his Father's throne ; Prepare new honours for his name, and songs before unknown. 2 Lo ! elders worship at his feet ; the church adores around, With vials full of odours rich, and harps of sweetest sound. 3 These odours are the pray'rs of saints, these sounds the hymns they raise ; God bends his ear to their requests, he loves to hear their praise. 4 Who shall the Father's record search, and hidden things reveal ? Behold the Son that record takes, and opens ev'ry seal ! 5 Hark how the adoring hosts above with songs surround the throne ! 71 Ten thousand thousand are their tongues; but all their hearts arc one. 6 Worthy the Lamb that dy'd, they cry, to be exalted thus ; Worthy the Lamb, let us reply, for he was slain for us. 7 To him be pow'r divine ascrib'd, and endless blessings paid ; Salvation, glory, joy, remain for ever on his head ! 8 Thou hast redeemed us with thy blood, and set the pris'ners free ; Thou mad'st us kings and priests to God, and we shall reign with thee. 9 From ev'ry kindred, ev'ry tongue, thou brought'st thy chosen race ; And distant lands and isles have shar'd the riches of thy grace. 10 Let all that dwell above the sky, or on the earth below, With fields, and floods, and ocean's shores, to thee their homage show. 11 To him who sits upon the throne, the God whom we adore, And to the Lamb that once was slain, be glory evermore. LXVI. REV. vii. 13, to the end. 1 TTOW bright these glorious spirits shine! whence all their white array ? 11 72 How came they to the blissful seats of everlasting day ? 2 Lo ! these are they from sufferings great, who came to realms of light, And in the blood of Christ have wash'd those robes which shine so bright. 3 Now, with triumphal psalms, they stand before the throne on high, And serve the God they love, amidst the glories of the sky. 4 His presence fills each heart with joy, tunes ev'ry mouth to sing : By day, by night, the sacred courts with glad hosannahs ring. 5 Hunger and thirst are felt no more, nor suns with scorching lay ; God is their sun, whose cheering beams diffuse eternal day. 6 The Lamb which dwells amidst the throne shall o'er them still preside ; Feed them with nourishment divine, and all their footstepts guide. 7 'Mong pastures green he'll lead his flock, where living streams appear ; And God the Lord from ev'ry eye shall wipe off ev'ry tear. LXVII. REV. XXI. 1—9. IT ! what a glorious sight appears to our admiring eyes ! 73 The former seas have pass'd away, the former earth and skies. 2 From heav'n the New Jerusalem comes, all worthy of its Lord ; See all things now at last renew'd, and paradise restored ! 3 Attending angels shout for joy, and the bright armies sing; Mortals ! behold the sacred seat of your descending King ! 4 The God of glory down to men removes his bless'd abode ; He dwells with men ; his people they, and he his people's God. 5 His gracious hand shall wipe the tears from ev'ry weeping eye : And pains and groans, and griefs and and death itself, shall die. [fears, 6 Behold, I change all human things ! saith he, whose words are true ; Lo ! what was old is pass'd away, and all things are made new ! 7 I am the First, and I the Last, through endless years the same ; I AM, is my memorial still, and my eternal name. 8 Ho, ye that thirst ! to you my grace shall hidden streams disclose, And open full the sacred spring, whence life for ever flows. 74 9 Bless'd is the man that overcomes ; I'll own him for a son ; A rich inheritance rewards, the conquests he hath won. 10 But hloody hands and hearts unclean, and all the lying* race, The faithless, and the scoffing crew, who spurn at offcr'd grace ; 11 They, seiz'd by justice, shall be doom'd in dark abyss to lie, And in the fiery burning lake the second death shall die. 12 may we stand before the Lamb, when earth and seas are lied, And hear the Judge pronounce our name, with blessings on our head ! HYMNS, HYMN I 1 "^y HEN all thy mercies, my God! my rising soul surveys, Transported with the view, I'm lost in wonder, love, and praise. 2 how shall words, with equal warmth the gratitude declare That glows within my ravish'd heart ! but Thou canst read it there. 3 Thy Providence my life sustained, and all my wants redrest, When in the silent womb I lay, and hung upon the breast. 4 To all my weak complaints and cries thy mercy lent an ear. Ere yet my feeble thoughts had learn'd to form themselves in pray'r. 11* 76 5 Unnumber'd comforts to my soul thy tender care bestow'd, Before my infant heart conceived from whom these comforts flow'd. 6 When in the slipp'ry paths of youth with heedless steps I ran ; Thine arm, unseen, convey'd me safe, and led me up to man : 7 Through hidden dangers, toils, and it gently clear'd my way ; [deaths, And through the pleasing snares of vice, more to be fear'd than they. 8 When worn with sickness, oft hast thou with health renew'd my face ; And, when in sins and sorrows sunk, reviv'd my soul with grace. 9 Thy bounteous hand with worldly bliss hath made my cup run o'er ; And, in a kind and faithful friend, hath doubled all my store. 10 Thousand thousand precious gifts my daily thanks employ : Nor is the least a cheerful heart, that tastes these gifts with joy. 11 Through ev'ry period of my life thy goodness I'll proclaim ; And after death, in distant world's, resume the glorious theme. 12 When nature fails, and day and night divide thy works no more, 77 My evergiateful heart, Lord, thy mercy shall adore. 13 Through all eternity to thee a joyful song I'll raise ; For, oh ! eternity's too short to utter all thy praise. HYMN II. 1 ^IIE spacious firmament on high, With all the blue ethereal sky, And spangled heav'ns, a sinning frame, Their great Original proclaim. 2 TV unweary'd sun, from day to day, Does his Creator's pow'r display : And publishes to ev'ryland The work of an Almighty hand. 3 Soon as the ev'ning shades prevail, The moon takes up the wondrous tale, And nightly to the listening earth R< peats the story of her birth ; 4 While all the stars that round her burn And all the planets in their turn, Confirm the tidings as they roll, And spread the truth from pole. 5 What though in solemn silence all Move round the dark terrestrial ball ? W lint though no real voice nor sound, Amidst their radiant orbs be found ? 78 6 In Reason's ear they all rejoice, And utter forth a glorious voice ; For ever singing, as they shine, "The hand that made us is divine." HYMN III. 1 "XATHEN rising from the bed of death, overwhelmed with guilt and fear, I see my Maker face to face, O how shall I appear ? 2 If yet while pardon may be found, and mercy may be sought, My heart with inward horror shrinks, and trembles at the thought ; 3 When thou, Lord ! shalt stand disclos'd in majesty severe, And sit in judgment on my soul, O how shall I appear ? 4 But thou hast told the troubled mind who doth her sins lament, That timely grief for errors past shall future woe prevent. 5 Then see the sorrows of my heart, ere yet it be too late, And hear my Saviour's dying groans, to give those sorrows weight. 6 For never shall my soul despair of mercy at thy throne, Who knows thine only son has dy'd thy justice to atone. 79 HYMN IV. 1 "DLESS'D morning! whose first dawning beheld the son of God [i'ays Arise triumphant from the grave, and leave his dark abode. 2 Wrapp'din the silence of the tomb the great Redeemer lay, Till the revolving skies had brought the third, th' appointed day. 3 Hell and the grave combined their force, to hold our Lord in vain ; Sudden the Conqueror arose, and burst their feeble chain. 4 To thy great name, Almighty Lord ! we sacred honours pay, And loud hosannahs shall proclaim the triumphs of the day. 5 Salvation and immortarpraise to our victorious King ! Let heav'n and earth, and rocks and seas, with srlad hosannahs rinse . 6 To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the God whom we adore, Be glory, as it was, and is, and shall be evermore. 80 HYMN V. 1 HHHE hour of my departure's come ; I hear the voice that calls me home ; At last, O Lord ! let trouble cease, And let thy servant die in peace. 2 The race appointed I have run ; The combat's o'er, the prize is won ; And now my witness is on high, And now my record's in the sky. 3 Not in mine innocence I trust ; I bow before thee in the dust ; And through my Saviour's blood alone I look for mercy at thy throne. 4 I leave the world without a tear, Save for the friends I held so dear ; To heal their sorrows, Lord, descend, And to the friendless prove a friend. 5 I come, I come, at thy command, I give my spirit to thy hand ; Stretch forth thine everlasting arms, And shield me in the last alarms. 6 The hour of my departure's come, I hear the voice that calls me home : Now, my God ! let trouble cease ; Now let thy servant die in peace. THE END.