God knows the thousands who go down O fearful thought! be timely wise; VIII. O LORD, I WILL PRAise Thee I WILL praise thee every day From the bleeding sacrifice. Here, in the fair Gospel-field, Jesus is become at length Praise ye, then, his glorious name, Still his worth your praise exceeds; Raise again the joyful sound, IX. THE CONTRITE HEART THE Lord will happiness divine A contrite heart, or no? I hear, but seem to hear in vain, If aught is felt, 'tis only pain I sometimes think myself inclined My best desires are faint and few, Thy saints are comforted, I know, But find no comfort there. Oh make this heart rejoice or ache; And, if it be not broken, break,- X. THE FUTURE PEACE AND GLORY OF THE CHURCH Isaiah Ix. 15-20 HEAR What God the Lord hath spoken: Fair abodes I build for you. Shall no more perplex your ways: "There, like streams that feed the garden, Still in undisturbed possession Peace and righteousness shall reign; Never shall you feel oppression, Hear the voice of war again. "From the first breath of life divine XIV. JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH Ezek. xlviii. 35 "As birds their infant brood protect, And spread their wings to shelter them, (Thus saith the Lord to his elect,) So will I guard Jerusalem." And what then is Jerusalem, This darling object of his care? Where is its worth in God's esteem? Who built it? who inhabits there? Jehovah founded it in blood, The blood of his incarnate Son; There, though besieged on every side, The utmost force of earth and hell. Let earth repent, and hell despair, This city has a sure defence; Her name is called "The Lord is there," And who has power to drive him thence? XV. PRAISE FOR THE FOUNTAIN OPENED Zech. xiii. I THERE is a fountain filled with blood The dying thief rejoiced to see Dear dying Lamb, thy precious blood Till all the ransomed church of God E'er since, by faith, I saw the stream Then in a nobler, sweeter song When this poor lisping, stammering tongue Lord, I believe thou hast prepared For me a blood-bought free reward, "Tis strung and tuned for endless years, To sound in God the Father's ears XVI. THE SOWER Matt. xiii. 3 YE sons of earth, prepare the plough, The seed that finds a stony soil Soon withered, scorched, and dead. The thorny ground is sure to balk The beaten path and highway side But where the Lord of grace and power The deep-wrought furrows yield! Let the same hand that gives the seed XVII. THE HOUSE OF PRAYER THY mansion is the Christian's heart, And leave the consecrated door. Devoted as it is to thee, A thievish swarm frequents the place; There, too, a sharp designing trade Sin, Satan, and the World maintain; Oh for the joy thy presence gives, What peace shall reign when thou art here! And if thou make thy temple shine, The gold and silver are not mine; |