Hymns and Spiritual Songs Part 11

1 Behold what wondrous grace The Father hath bestow'd On sinners of a mortal race, To call them sons of G.o.d!

2 'Tis no surprising thing That we should be unknown; The Jewish world knew not their King, G.o.d's everlasting Son.

3 Nor doth it yet appear How great we must be made; But when we see our Saviour here, We shall be like our head.

4 A hope so much divine May trials well endure, May purge our souls from sense and sin, As Christ the Lord is pure.

5 If in my Father's love I share a filial part, Send down thy Spirit like a dove To rest upon my heart.

6 We would no longer lie Like slaves beneath the throne; My faith shall Abba, Father, cry, And thou the kindred own.

Hymn 1:65.

The kingdoms of the world become the kingdoms of our Lord; or, The day of judgment, Rev. 11. 15-18.

1 Let the seventh angel sound on high, Let shouts be heard thro' all the sky; Kings of the earth, with glad accord Give up your kingdoms to the Lord.

2 Almighty G.o.d, thy power a.s.sume, Who wast, and art, and art to come: Jesus, the Lamb, who once was slain, For ever live, for ever reign.

3 The angry nations fret and roar, That they can slay the saints no more; On wings of vengeance flies our G.o.d To pay the long arrears of blood.

4 Now must the rising dead appear, Now the decisive sentence hear; Now the dear martyrs of the Lord Receive an infinite reward.

Hymn 1:66.

Christ the King at his table, Cant. (Transcriber's Note: Song of Solomon) 1. 2-5 12 13 17.

1 Let him embrace my soul, and prove Mine interest in his heavenly love: The voice that tells me, "Thou art mine,"

Exceeds the blessings of the vine.

2 On thee th' anointing Spirit came, And spreads the savour of thy name; That oil of gladness and of grace Draws virgin souls to meet thy face.

3 Jesus, allure me by thy charms, My soul shall fly into thine arms, Our wandering feet thy favours bring To the fair chambers of the King.

4 [Wonder and pleasure tune our voice To speak thy praises and our joys: Our memory keeps this love of thine Beyond the taste of richest wine.]

5 Tho' in ourselves deform'd we are, And black as Kedar tent appear, Yet when we put thy beauties on, Fair as the courts of Solomon.

6 While at his table sits the King, He loves to see us smile and sing; Our graces are our best perfume, And breathe like spikenard round the room.]

7 As myrrh new bleeding from the tree, Such is a dying Christ to me; And while he makes my soul his guest, My bosom, Lord, shall be thy rest.

8 [No beams of cedar or of fir Can with thy courts on earth compare; And here we wait until thy love Raise us to n.o.bler seats above.]

Hymn 1:67.

Seeking the pastures of Christ the Shepherd, Cant. 1.7.

1 Thou whom my soul admires above All earthly joy, and earthly love, Tell me, dear shepherd, let me know, Where doth thy sweetest pasture grow?

2 Where is the shadow of that rock That from the son defends thy flock?

Fain would I feed among thy sheep, Among them rest, among them sleep.

3 Why should thy bride appear like one That turns aside to paths unknown?

My constant feet would never rove, Would never seek another love.

4 [The footsteps of thy flock I see; Thy sweetest pastures here they be; A wondrous feast thy love prepares, Bought with thy wounds, and groans, and tears.

5 His dearest flesh he makes my food, And bids me drink his richest blood; Here to these hills my soul will come, To my beloved lead me home.]

Hymn 1:68.

The banquet of love, Cant. 2. 1 2 3 4 6 7.

1 Behold the Rose of Sharon here, The Lily which the vallies bear; Behold the Tree of Life, that gives Refres.h.i.+ng fruit and healing leaves.

2 Amongst the thorns so lilies s.h.i.+ne, Amongst wild gourds the n.o.ble vine; So in mine eyes my Saviour proves Amidst a thousand meaner loves.

3 Beneath his cooling shade I sat To s.h.i.+eld me from the burning heat; Of heavenly fruit he spreads a feast To feed my eyes and please my taste.

4 [Kindly he brought me to the place Where stands the banquet of his grace, He saw me faint, and o'er my head The banner of his love he spread.

5 With living bread and generous wine He cheers this sinking heart of mine; And opening his own heart to me, He shews his thoughts how kind they be.]

6 O never let my Lord depart, Lie down and rest upon my heart; I charge my sins not once to move Nor stir, nor wake, nor grieve my Love.

Hymn 1:69.

Christ appearing to his church, and seeking her company, Cant. 2. 1-13.

1 The voice of my beloved sounds Over the rocks and rising grounds, O'er hills of guilt, and seas of grief, He leaps, he flies to my relief.

2 Now thro' the veil of flesh I see With eyes of love he looks at me; Now in the gospel's clearest gla.s.s He shews the beauties of his face.

3 Gently he draws my heart along Both with his beauties and his tongue; "Rise," saith my Lord, "make haste away; "No mortal joys are worth thy stay.

4 "The Jewish wintery state is gone, "The mists are fled, the spring comes on, "The sacred turtle-dove we hear "Proclaim the new, the joyful year.

5 "Th' immortal vine of heavenly root "Blossoms and buds, and gives her fruit:"

Lo, we are come to taste the wine; Our souls rejoice and bless the vine.

6 And when we hear our Jesus say, "Rise up, my love, make haste away!"

Our hearts would fain out-fly the wind, And leave all earthly loves behind.

Hymn 1:70.

Christ inviting, and the church answering the invitation, Cant. 2. 14 16 17.