Week after week his kindness tells, 3 The summer's sun, the spring's soft show'r, Declare his all-providing pow'r; The autumn's fruit, the winter's snow, 4 His works proclaim his care divine; 423. L. M. Ebenezer. 1 Samuel vii. 12. 1 OUR helper God! we bless thy name; The same thy pow'r, thy love the same: The tokens of thy gracious care Our days, and months, and years declare. 2 We, midst ten thousand dangers, stand Protected by thy guardian hand; And, while our souls review thy ways, 3 Thus far thine arm has led us on; Thus far we make thy mercy known: 4 Our joyful souls, on Jordan's shore, 299 Part Sirth. THE PEOPLE OF GOD. SECTION FIRST.-THE CHURCH GENERAL. 424. 8.8. 6. The spiritual temple. 1 BEHOLD the temple of the Lord! God's building, where, by saints ador'd, 2 A temple this not made with hands; 'Tis founded on the "living stone," 3 Time, that all other works destroys, Erected for God's own name's sake, 4 Age after age the work goes on: Soon shall we hear the voice, "'tis done!" 425. C. M. The Church the body of Christ. Eph. iv. 15, 16. I JESUS, we sing thy matchless grace, 2 As join'd to thee, our vital head, 3 The saints on earth, and those above, 4 O may we day by day derive, Then earth and hell in vain shall strive 5 Fill'd from thy fulness, may our hearts And when this mortal scene departs 6 Then the whole church, which thou hast bought, Shall stand before thy face; Nor shall a wrinkle or a spot Its beauteous form deface. 426. 8.7. The security of Zion, and the blessedness of her citizens. Psalm 1xxxvii. 1 GLORIOUS things of thee are spoken, He whose word can not be broken, Form'd thee for his own abode. On the Rock of Ages founded, Thou may'st smile at all thy foes. 3 Bless'd inhabitants of Zion, Wash'd in the Redeemer's blood! Makes them kings and priests to God. All its boasted pomp and show; *427. 8.7.7. God the glory and defence of Zion. Psalm xlviii. 1 YE who love the cause of Zion, Though despis'd of men and few, Arm'd with boldness like the lion, Fear not all that men can do: What though all the world oppose, God is stronger than her foes. 2 Zion's foes may all assemble, But their counsel will not stand: 3 Come, ye people, walk around her, See how God, her King and founder, God has made their dwelling sure. 4 See her firm and deep foundation; God has call'd her walls salvation, 428. L. M. The stability of the church. Zechariah ii. 5. 1 HAPPY the church, thou sacred place, 2 Thy walls are strength, and at thy gates 3 Thy foes in vain designs engage; 4 Then let our souls in Zion dwell, 5 God is our shield, and God our sun; |