Page images
PDF
EPUB

HYMN CXIV.

The Disciples at Sea.* Chap. vi. 16-21.
1 CONSTRAIN'D by their Lord to embark,
And venture without him to sea,
The season tempestuous and dark,
How griev'd the disciples must be!
But though he remain'd on the shore,
He spent the night for them in prayer;
They still were as safe as before,
And equally under his care.

2 They strove, though in vain, for a while,
The force of the waves to withstand;
But when they were wearied with toil,
They saw their dear Saviour at hand.
They gladly received him on board,
His presence their spirits reviv'd,
The sea became calm at his word,
And soon at their port they arriv'd.
3 We, like the disciples, are toss'd
By storms on a perilous deep,
But cannot be possibly lost,
For Jesus has charge of the ship.
Though billows and winds are enrag'd,
And threaten to make us their sport,
This pilot his word has engag'd
To bring us in safety to port.
4 If sometimes we struggle alone,
And he is withdrawn from our view,
It makes us more willing to own
We nothing without him can do:
Then Satan our hopes would assail,
But Jesus is still within call;

And when our poor efforts quite fail,
He comes in good time, and does all.
5 Yet, Lord, we are ready to shrink,
Unless we thy presence perceive;
O save us, we cry, or we sink,
We would, but we cannot believe.
The night has been long and severe,
The winds and the seas are still high;
Dear Saviour, this moment appear,
And say to our souls, "It is I!"†

HYMN CXV.

Will ye also go away? Chap. vi. 67-69. 1 WHEN any turn from Zion's way,

(Alas! what numbers do!) Methinks I hear my Saviour say, "Wilt thou forsake me too?"

2 Ah! Lord, with such a heart as mine,
Unless thou hold me fast,

I feel I must, I shall decline,
And prove like them at last.

3 Yet thou alone hast power, I know,
To save a wretch like me:
To whom, or whither could I go,
If I should turn from thee?
4 Beyond a doubt I rest assur'd,
Thou art the Christ of God,

[blocks in formation]

Who hast eternal life secur'd

By promise and by blood.

5 The help of men and angels join'd
Could never reach my case,
Nor can I hope relief to find

But in thy boundless grace.

6 No voice but thine can give me rest, And bid my fears depart,

No love but thine can make me blest,
And satisfy my heart.

7 What anguish has that question stirr'd If I will also go?

Yet, Lord, relying on thy word,
I humbly answer, No.

HYMN CXVI.

The Resurrection and the Life. Chap. xi. 25. 1 "I AM," saith Christ, "your glorious Head, (May we attention give!)

The resurrection of the dead,

The life of all that live.

2 "By faith in me the soul receives
New life, though dead before;
And he that in my name believes,
Shall live, to die no more.

3 "The sinner, sleeping in his grave,
Shall at my voice awake;
And when I once begin to save,
My work I ne'er forsake."

4 Fulfil thy promise, gracious Lord,
On us assembled here;

Put forth thy Spirit with the word,
And cause the dead to hear.

5 Preserve the power of faith alive
In those who love thy name;
For sin and Satan daily strive

To quench the sacred flame.
6 Thy power and mercy first prevail'd,
From death to set us free;

And often since our life had fail'd,
If not renew'd by thee.

7 To thee we look, to thee we bow,
To thee for help we call;
Our life and resurrection thou,
Our hope, our joy, our all.

HYMN CXVII.

Weeping Mary. Chap. xx. 11-16.

1 MARY to her Saviour's tomb

Hasted at the early dawn;

Spice she brought, and sweet perfume;
But the Lord she lov'd was gone.
For a while she weeping stood,
Struck with sorrow and surprise,
Shedding tears, a plenteous flood,
For her heart supplied her eyes.
2 Jesus, who is always near,

Though too often unperceiv'd,
Came, his drooping child to cheer,
Kindly asking why she griev'd?

Though at first she knew him not, When he call'd her by her name, Then her griefs were all forgot, For she found he was the same. 3 Grief and sighing quickly fled, When she heard his welcome voice; Just before she thought him dead, Now he bids her heart rejoice. What a change his word can make, Turning darkness into day! You who weep for Jesu's sake, He will wipe your tears away. 4 He who came to comfort her, When she thought her all was lost, Will for you relief appear, Though you now are tempest-toss'd, On his word your burden cast, On his love your thoughts employ; Weeping for a while may last, But the morning brings the joy.

HYMN CXVIII.

Lovest thou me? Chap. xxi. 16.
1 HARK, my soul! it is the Lord,
"Tis thy Saviour, hear his word;
Jesus speaks, and speaks to thee,
"Say, poor sinner, lov'st thou me?
2 "I deliver'd thee when bound,

And, when wounded, heal'd thy wound;
Sought thee wand'ring, set thee right,
Turn'd thy darkness into light.

3 "Can a woman's tender care
Cease towards the child she bare?
Yes, she may forgetful be,
Yet will I remember thee.
4" Mine is an unchanging love,
Higher than the heights above,
Deeper than the depths beneath,
Free and faithful, strong as death,
5 "Thou shalt see my glory soon,
When the work of grace is done,
Partner of my throne shalt be,
Say, poor sinner, lov'st thou me?"

6 Lord, it is my chief complaint,

That my love is weak and faint;
Yet I love thee and adore:
O for grace to love thee more!

HYMN CXIX.

ANOTHER.

1 'Tis a point I long to know,
Oft it causes anxious thought,
Do I love the Lord or no?
Am I his, or am I not?

2 If I love, why am I thus?

Why this dull and lifeless frame?
Hardly, sure, can they be worse,
Who have never heard his name.

C.

3 Could my heart so hard remain, Prayer a task and burden prove, Ev'ry trifle give me pain,

If I knew a Saviour's love?

4 When I turn my eyes within,
All is dark, and vain, and wild;
Fill'd with unbelief and sin,
Can I deem myself a child?
5 If I pray, or hear, or read,
Sin is mix'd with all I do;
You that love the Lord indeed,
Tell me, is it thus with you?

6 Yet I mourn my stubborn will,

Find my sin a grief and thrall:
Should I grieve for what I feel,
If I did not love at all?

7 Could I joy his saints to meet,
Choose the ways I once abhorr'd,
Find at times the promise sweet,
If I did not love the Lord?

8 Lord, decide the doubtful case:
Thou, who art thy people's sun,
Shine upon thy work of grace,
If it be indeed begun.

9 Let me love thee more and more,
If I love at all, I pray;
If I have not lov'd before,
Help me to begin to-day.

ACTS.

HYMN CXX.

The Death of Stephen. Chap. vii. 54-60
1 As some tall rock amidst the waves,
The fury of the tempest braves,
While the fierce billows, tossing high,
Break at its foot, and, murm'ring, die:
2 Thus they who in the Lord confide,
Though foes assault on ev'ry side,
Cannot be mov'd or overthrown,
For Jesus makes their cause his own.
3 So faithful Stephen, undismayed,
The malice of the Jews surveyed:
The holy joy which fill'd his breast
A lustre on his face impress'd.
4 "Behold!" he said, "the world of light
Is open'd to my strengthen'd sight;
My glorious Lord appears in view,
That Jesus whom ye lately slew."

5 With such a friend and witness near,
No form of death could make him fear;
Calm, amidst showers of stones, he kneels,
And only for his murd'rers feels.

6 May we, by faith, perceive thee thus,
Dear Saviour, ever near to us!
This sight our peace through life shall keep,
And death be fear'd no more than sleep.

HYMN CXXI.

Lord,

The Rebel's Surrender to Grace.
what wilt thou have me to do? Chap. ix. 6.
1 LORD, thou hast won, at length I yield;
My heart, by mighty grace compell'd,
Surrenders all to thee;

Against thy terrors long I strove,
But who can stand against thy love?
Love conquers even me.

2 All that a wretch could do I tried,
Thy patience scorn'd, thy power defied,
And trampled on thy laws;

Scarcely thy martyrs at the stake,
Could stand more steadfast for thy sake,
Than I in Satan's cause.

3 But since thou hast thy love reveal'd
And shown my soul a pardon seal'd,

I can resist no more;
Couldst thou for such a sinner bleed?
Canst thou for such a rebel plead?
I wonder and adore!

4 If thou had'st bid thy thunders roll,
And lightnings flash, to blast my soul,
I still had stubborn been:
But mercy has my heart subdu'd,
A bleeding Saviour I have view'd,
And now I hate my sin.

5 Now, Lord, I would be thine alone,
Come, take possession of thine own,

For thou hast set me free;
Releas'd from Satan's hard command,
See all my powers waiting stand,
To be employed by thee.

6 My will conform'd to thine would move; On thee my hope, desire, and love,

In fix'd attention join;

My hands, my eyes, my ears, my tongue,
Have Satan's servants been too long,

But now they shall be thine.

7 And can I be the very same,
Who lately durst blaspheme thy name,
And on thy gospel tread?
Surely each one who hears my case,
Will praise thee, and confess thy grace
Invincible indeed!

HYMN CXXII.
Peter released from Prison.
Chap. xii. 5-8.

1 FERVENT persevering prayers
Are faith's assur'd resource;
Brazen gates and iron bars

In vain withstand their force.
Peter, when in prison cast,

Though by soldiers kept with care,
Though the doors were bolted fast,
Was soon releas'd by prayer.
2 While he slept, an angel came,
And spread a light around,
Touch'd, and call'd him by his name,
And rais'd him from the ground.

All his chains and fetters burst,

Ev'ry door wide open flew:
Peter thought he dream'd at first,
But found the vision true.

3 Thus the Lord can make a way
To bring his saints relief;
Theirs it is to wait and pray,
In spite of unbelief.

He can break through walls of stone,
Sink the mountain to a plain;
They to whom his name is known,
Can never pray in vain.

4 Thus, in chains of guilt and sin,
Poor sinners sleeping lie;
No alarm is felt within,

Although condemn'd to die;
Till, descending from above,
(Mercy smiling in his eyes)
Jesus, with a voice of love,

Awakes, and bids them rise.
5 Glad the summons they obey,
And liberty desire;
Straight their fetters melt away,
Like wax before the fire:
By the word of him who died,
Guilty prisoners to release,
Every door flies open wide,
And they depart in peace.

HYMN CXXIII.

The trembling Gaoler. Chap. xvi. 29-31. 1 A BELIEVER free from care,

May in chains or dungeons sing,
If the Lord be with him there,
And be happier than a king:
Paul and Silas thus confin'd,
Though their backs were torn by whips,
Yet, possessing peace of mind,
Sung his praise with joyful lips.
2 Suddenly the prison shook,
Open flew the iron doors;
And the gaoler, terror-struck,
Now his captives, help implores:
Trembling at their feet he fell,
"Tell me, Sirs, what must I do,
To be saved from guilt and hell?
None can tell me this but you."
3 "Look to Jesus," they replied;
"If on him thou canst believe,
By the death which he hath died,
Thou salvation shalt receive."
While the living word he heard,
Faith sprang up within his heart;
And, releas'd from all he fear'd,
In their joy his soul had part.
4 Sinners, Christ is still the same,
O that you could likewise fear!
Then the mention of his name
Would be music to your ear:
Jesus rescues Satan's slaves,

His dear wounds still plead, "Forgive!"
Jesus to the utmost saves;

Sinners, look to him and live.

HYMN CXXIV.

The Exorcists. Chap. xix. 13-16. 1 WHEN the apostle wonders wrought, And heal'd the sick in Jesu's name, The sons of Sceva vainly thought That they had power to do the same. 2 On one possess'd they tried their art, And, naming Jesus preached by Paul, They charg'd the spirit to depart, Expecting he'd obey their call. 3 The spirit answered with a mock, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; I must have gone if Paul had spoke: But who are ye that bid me go? 4 With fury then the man he fill'd,

Who on the poor pretenders flew;
Naked and wounded, almost kill'd,
They fled in all the people's view.
5 Jesus! that name pronounc'd by faith,
Is full of wonder-working power;
It conquers Satan, sin, and death,
And cheers in trouble's darkest hour.
6 But they who are not born again,
Know nothing of it but the sound;
They do not take his name in vain,
When most, their zeal and pains abound.
7 Satan their vain attempts derides,

Whether they talk, or pray, or preach;
Long as the love of sin abides,

His power is safe beyond their reach. 8 But you, believers, may rejoice,

Satan well knows your mighty Friend;
He trembles at your Saviour's voice,
And owns he cannot gain his end.

HYMN CXXV.

Paul's Voyage. Chap. xxvii.

1 IF Paul in Cæsar's court must stand,
He need not fear the sea;

Secur'd from harm on every hand
By the divine decree.

2 Although the ship in which he sail'd
By dreadful storms was toss'd;

The promise over all prevail'd,
And not a life was lost.

3 Jesus, the God whom Paul ador'd,
Who saves in time of need,

Was then confess'd, by all on board,
A present help indeed!

4 Though neither sun nor stars were seen.
Paul knew the Lord was near!
And faith preserv'd his soul serene,
When others shook for fear.

5 Believers thus are toss'd about,
On life's tempestuous main;
But grace assures, beyond a doubt
They shall their port attain.

6 They must, they shall appear one day,
Before their Saviour's throne;
The storms they meet with by the way,
But make his power known.

7 Their passage lies across the brink
Of many a threatening wave;
The world expects to see them sink,
But Jesus lives to save.

8 Lord, though we are but feeble worms, Yet since thy word is past,

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

We'll venture through a thousand storms, To see thy face at last.

ROMANS.

HYMN CXXVI.

The good that I would, I do not.
Chap. vii. 19.

I WOULD, but cannot sing,
Guilt has untun'd my voice;

The serpent's sin-envenom'd sting
Has poison'd all my joys.

I know the Lord is nigh,

And would, but cannot pray;

For Satan meets me when I try,
And frights my soul away.

I would, but can't repent,
Though I endeavour oft;

This stony heart can ne'er relent,
Till Jesus make it soft.

I would, but cannot love,

Though wooed by love divine;

No arguments have power to move A soul so base as mine.

I would, but cannot rest,

In God's most holy will;

I know what he appoints is best,

Yet murmur at it still.

Oh could I but believe!

Then all would easy be:

I would, but cannot,-Lord, relieve; My help must come from thee!

But if indeed I would,

Though I can nothing do;

Yet the desire is something good,

For which my praise is due.

8

By nature prone to ill,

Till thine appointed hour,

I was as destitute of will,

[blocks in formation]

2 Let his people courage take,
Bear with a submissive mind
All they suffer for his sake,
Rich amends they soon will find:
He will wipe away their tears,
Near himself appoint their lot;
All their sorrows, pains, and fears,
Quickly then will be forgot.
3 Though already sav'd by grace,
From the hour we first believ'd;
Yet while sin and war have place,
We have but a part receiv'd;
Still we for salvation wait,
Every hour it nearer comes!
Death will break the prison gate,
And admit us to our homes.
4 Sinners, what can you expect?
You who now the Saviour dare,
Break his laws, his grace reject,
You must stand before his bar!
Tremble, lest he say, Depart!
Oh the horrors of that sound!
Lord, make every careless heart
Seek thee while thou may'st be found.

[blocks in formation]

Forth from the rock the waters burst, And all their future journey through Yielded them drink, and gospel too! 2 In Moses' rod a type they saw Of his severe and fiery law;

While earth and hell, with force combin'd,
Assault and terrify my mind:

2 What strength have I against such foes,
Such hosts and legions to oppose?
Alas! I tremble, faint, and fall;
Lord, save me, or I give up all.

3 Thus sorely press'd I sought the Lord, To give me some sweet cheering word; Again I sought, and yet again;

I waited long but not in vain.

4 Oh! 'twas a cheering word indeed! Exactly suited to my need;

"Sufficient for thee is my grace; Thy weakness my great power displays." 5 Now I despond and mourn no more, I welcome all I fear'd before; Though weak, I'm strong, though troubled, blest,

For Christ's own power shall on me rest. 6 My grace would soon exhausted be But his is boundless as the sea; Then let me boast, with holy Paul, That I am nothing, Christ is all.

GALATIANS.

HYMN CXXX.

The inward Warfare. Chap. v. 17. 1 STRANGE and mysterious is my life, What opposites I feel within! A stable peace, a constant strife; The rule of grace, the power of sin: Too often I am captive led, Yet daily triumph in my Head. I prize the privilege of prayer, But oh! what backwardness to pray! Though on the Lord I cast my care, I feel its burden every day;

The smitten rock prefigur'd him [stream. 2 From whose pierc'd side all blessings 3 But, ah, the types were all too faint, His sorrows or his worth to paint; Slight was the stroke of Moses' rod, But he endur'd the wrath of God. 4 Their outward rock could feel no pain, But ours was wounded, torn, and slain; The rock gave but a watery flood, But Jesus pour'd forth streams of blood. 5 The earth is like their wilderness,

A land of drought and sore distress;
Without one stream from pole to pole,
To satisfy a thirsty soul.

6 But let the Saviour's praise resound;
In him refreshing streams are found;
Which pardon, strength, and comfort give,
And thirsty sinners drink and live.

II. CORINTHIANS.

HYMN CXXIX.

My Grace is sufficient for thee. Chap. xii. 9. 1 OPPRESS'D with unbelief and sin, Fightings without, and fears within;

I seek his will in all I do,

Yet find my own is working too.

3 I call the promises my own,

And prize them more than mines of gold;
Yet though their sweetness I have known,
They leave me unimpress'd and cold:

One hour upon the truth I feed,
The next I know not what I read.

4 I love the holy day of rest,
When Jesus meets his gather'd saints:
Sweet day, of all the week the best!
For its return my spirit pants;

Yet often, through my unbelief,
It proves a day of guilt and grief.
5 While on my Saviour I rely,
I know my foes shall lose their aim,
And therefore dare their power defy,
Assur'd of conquest through his name;
But soon my confidence is slain,
And all my fears return again.
6 Thus diff'rent powers within me strive,
And grace and sin by turns prevail;

« PreviousContinue »