8 How well Thy blessed truths agree! How wise and holy Thy commands! Thy promises, how firm they be!

How firm our hope and comfort stands ! 4 Should all the forms that men devise Assault my faith with treacherous art, I'd call them vanity and lies,

And bind the gospel to my heart.

L.M.

337 The gospel of the grace of God.

1

Acts 20, 24.

THIS is the word of truth and love,

Sent to the nations from above; Jehovah here resolves to show What His almighty grace can do. 2 This remedy did Wisdom find To heal diseases of the mind; This sovereign balm whose virtues can Restore the ruined creature, man.

8 The gospel bids the dead revive,

Sinners obey the voice and live;

Dry bones are raised, and clothed afresh,

And hearts of stone are turned to flesh. 4 Where Satan reigned in shades of night,

The gospel sheds a heavenly light; Our lusts its wondrous power controls, And calms the rage of angry souls. 5 Lions and beasts of savage name Put on the nature of the lamb; Whilst the wide world esteem it strange, Gaze and admire, and hate the change. 6 May but this grace my soul renew. Let sinners gaze, and hate me too; The word that saves me does engage A sure defence from all their rage.

C.M.

338 Grace and truth came by Jesus

1

Christ.-John 1, 17.

THE Lord, descending from above,

Invites His children near:

While Power, and Truth, and boundDisplay their glories here. [less Love

2 Here, in Thy gospel's wondrous frame,
Fresh wisdom we pursue;
Adoring angels learn Thy name
Beyond whate'er they knew.

3 Thy name is writ in fairest lines;
Thy wonders here we trace:
Wisdom through all the mystery shines,
And shines in Jesus' face

4 The law its best obedience owes
To our Incarnate God;

And Thine avenging justice shows
Its honour in His blood.

5 But still the lustre of Thy grace
Our warmer thoughts employs,

Gilds the whole scene with brighter

rays,

And more exalts our joys.

C.M.

339 More to be desired are they than

gold.-Ps. 19, 10.

1 LADEN with guilt, and full of fears,

I to Thee, my Lord;
And not a glimpse of hope appears,
But in Thy written word.

2 The volume of my Father's grace
Does all my grief assuage;
Here I behold my Saviour's face
Almost in every page.

3 This is the field where hidden lies
The pearl of price unknown;
That merchant is divinely wise
Who makes the pearl his own.
4 Here consecrated water flows
To quench my thirst of sin;
Here the fair tree of knowledge grows,
Nor danger dwells therein.

5 This is the judge that ends the strife,
Where wit and reason fail;
My guide to everlasting life
Through all this gloomy vale.
6 O may Thy counsels, mighty God,
My roving feet command;
Nor I forsake the happy road
That leads to Thy right hand.

L.M.

340 Unto us which are saved it is

1

the power of God.-1 Cor. 1, 18.

GOD, in the gospel of His Son,

Makes His eternal counsels known; Tis here His richest mercy shines, And truth is drawn in fairest lines. 2 Here Jesus in ten thousand ways His soul-attracting charms displays, Recounts His poverty and pains, And tells His love in melting strains. 3 Wisdom its dictates here imparts, To form our minds, to cheer our hearts;

Its influence makes the sinner live, It bids the drooping saint revive. 4 Our raging passions it controls, And comfort yields to contrite souls; It brings a better world in view, And guides us all,our journey through. 5 May this blest volume ever lie Close to my heart and near my eye; Till life's last hour my thoughts enAnd be my chosen heritage! [gage,

C.M.

341 Thy testimonies have I taken as a

heritage for ever.-Ps. 119, 111. ORD, I have made Thy word my choice,

My lasting heritage:

There shall my noblest powers rejoice,
My warmest thoughts engage.

2 I'll read the histories of Thy love,
And keep Thy laws in sight,
While through Thy promises I rove
With ever-fresh delight.

3 Tis a broad land of wealth unknown,
Where springs of life arise,

Seeds of immortal bliss are sown,
And hidden glory lies.

4 The best relief that mourners have,
It makes our sorrows blest;
Our fairest hope beyond the grave,
And our eternal rest.

C.M.

342 The entrance of Thy words giveth

1

light.-Ps. 119, 130.

THE Spirit breathes upon the Word,
And brings the truth to sight,
Precepts and promises afford
A sanctifying light.

2 A glory gilds the sacred page,
Majestic, like the sun;

It gives a light to every age-
It gives, but borrows none.
3 The hand that gave it still supplies
The gracious light and heat:

Its truths upon the nations rise-
They rise, but never set.

4 Let everlasting thanks be Thine,
For such a bright display,

As makes a world of darkness shine
With beams of heavenly day.

5 My soul rejoices to pursue
The steps of Him I love,
Till glory breaks upon my view
In brighter worlds above.

C.M.

343 We preach Christ crucified.—

1 Cor. 1, 23.

1CHRIST and His cross is all our theme;

The mysteries that we speak
Are scandal in the Jew's esteem,
And folly to the Greek.

2 But souls enlightened from above
With joy receive the word;
They see what wisdom, power, and love,
Shine in their dying Lord.

3 The vital savour of His name,

Restores their fainting breath; While unbelief perverts the same, To guilt, despair, and death,

THE WORD OF GOD:

ITS INVITATIONS AND PROMISES.

7s.

344 Him that cometh to Me, I will in no

1

wise cast out.-John 6, 37.

WELCOME, welcome! sinner, hear!

Hang not back through shame or Doubt not, nor distrust the call; [fear; Mercy is proclaimed to all.

2 Welcome to the offered peace;
Welcome, prisoner, to release:
Burst thy bonds; be saved; be free:
Rise and come-He calleth thee.
3 Welcome, weeping penitent;
Grace has made thy heart relent:
Welcome, long estranged child
God in Christ is reconciled.

;

4 Welcome to the cleansing fount,
Springing from the sacred mount;
Welcome to the feast divine,
Bread of life, and living wine.
5 All ye weary and distrest,
Welcome to relief and rest:
All is ready; hear the call;
There is ample room for all.

6 None can come that shall not find
Mercy called whom Grace inclined;
Nor shall any willing heart
Hear the bitter word-Depart!

7 Oh! the virtue of that price,
That redeeming sacrifice!

Come, ye bought, but not with gold,
Welcome to the sacred fold.

8.7.4.

345 Come unto Me, all ye that labour

1

and are heavy laden.-Matt. 11, 28.

COME, ye sinners, poor and wretched-
Come, tis mercy's welcome hour;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity joined with power;
He is able,

He is willing: doubt no more.