Hymns and Spiritual Songs Part 56

2 And here we drink our Saviour's blood, We thank thee, Lord, 'tis generous wine; Mingled with love the fountain flow'd From that dear bleeding heart of thine.

3 On earth is no such sweetness found, For the Lamb's flesh is heavenly food; In vain we search the globe around For bread so fine, or wine so good.

4 Carnal provisions can at best But cheer the heart, or warm the head, But the rich cordial that we taste Gives life eternal to the dead.

5 Joy to the Master of the feast, His name our souls for ever bless: To G.o.d the King, and G.o.d the Priest, A loud Hosanna round the place.

Hymn 3:19.

Glory in the cross; or, Not ashamed of Christ crucified.

1 At thy command, our dearest Lord, Here we attend thy dying feast; Thy blood like wine adorns thy board, And thine own flesh feeds every guest.

2 Our faith adores thy bleeding love, And trusts for life in one that dy'd; We hope for heavenly crowns above From a Redeemer crucify'd.

3 Let the vain world p.r.o.nounce it shame, And fling their scandals on thy cause; We come to boast our Saviour's Name, And make our triumphs in his cross.

4 With joy we tell the scoffing age He that was dead has left his tomb, He lives above their utmost rage, And we are waiting till he come.

Hymn 3:20.

The provisions for the table of our Lord; or, The tree of life, and river of love.

1 Lord, we adore thy bounteous hand, And sing the solemn feast Where sweet celestial dainties stand For every willing guest.

2 [The tree of life adorns the board With rich immortal fruit, And ne'er an angry flaming sword To guard the pa.s.sage to't.

3 The cup stands crown'd with living juice; The fountain flows above, And runs down streaming for our use In rivulets of love.]

4 The food's prepar'd by heavenly art, The pleasure's well refin'd, They spread new life thro' every heart, And cheer the drooping mind.

5 Shout and proclaim the Saviour's love, Ye saints that taste his wine, Join with your kindred saints above, In loud hosannas join.

6 A thousand glories to the G.o.d That gives such joy as this; Hosanna! let it sound abroad, And reach where Jesus is.

Hymn 3:21.

The triumphal feast for Christ's victory over sin, and death, and h.e.l.l.

1 [Come let us lift our voices high, High as our joys arise, And join the songs above the sky, Where pleasure never dies.

2 Jesus, the G.o.d that fought and bled, And conquer'd when he fell; That rose, and at his chariot-wheels Dragg'd all the powers of h.e.l.l.]

3 [Jesus the G.o.d invites us here To this triumphal feast, And brings immortal blessings down For each redeemed guest.]

4 The Lord! how glorious is his face!

How kind his smiles appear!

And O what melting words he says To every humble ear!

5 "For you, the children of my love, "It was for you I dy'd; "Behold my hands, behold my feet, "And look into my side.

6 "These are the wounds for you I bore, "The tokens of my pains, "When I came down to free your souls "From misery and chains.

7 "Justice unsheath'd its fiery sword, And plung'd it in my heart; "Infinite pangs for you I bore, "And most tormenting smart.

8 "When h.e.l.l and all its spiteful powers "Stood dreadful in my way, "To rescue those dear lives of yours "I gave my own away.

9 "But while I bled, and groan'd, and dy'd, "I ruin'd Satan's throne; "High on my cross I hung, and spy'd "The monster tumbling down.

10 "Now you must triumph at my feast, "And taste my flesh, my blood; "And live eternal ages bless'd, "For 'tis immortal food."

11 Victorious G.o.d! what can we pay For favours so divine?

We would devote our hearts away To be for ever thine.

12 We give thee, Lord, our highest praise, The tribute of our tongues; But themes so infinite as these Exceed our n.o.blest songs.

Hymn 3:22.

The compa.s.sion of a dying Christ.

1 Our spirits join t' adore the Lamb; O that our feeble lips could move In strains immortal as his Name, And melting as his dying love.

2 Was ever equal pity found?

The Prince of heaven resigns his breath, And pours his life out on the ground To ransom guilty worms from death.

3 [Rebels, we broke our Maker's laws; He from the threatening set us free, Bore the full vengeance on his cross, And nail'd the curses to the tree.]

4 [The law proclaims no terror now, And Sinai's thunder roars no more; From all his wounds new blessings flow, A sea of joy without a sh.o.r.e.

5 Here we have wash'd our deepest stains, And heal'd our wounds with heavenly blood: Bless'd fountain! springing from the veins Of Jesus, our incarnate G.o.d.]

6 In vain our mortal voices strive To speak compa.s.sion so divine; Had we a thousand lives to give, A thousand lives should all be thine.

Hymn 3:23.

Grace and glory by the death of Christ.

1 [Sitting around our Father's board We raise our tuneful breath; Our faith beholds her dying Lord, And dooms our sins to death.]

2 We see the blood of Jesus shed, Whence all our pardons rise; The sinner views th' atonement made, And loves the sacrifice.

3 Thy cruel thorns, thy shameful cross Procure us heavenly crowns; Our highest gain springs from thy loss, Our healing from thy wounds.

4 O 'tis impossible that we, Who dwell in feeble clay, Should equal sufferings bear for thee, Or equal thanks repay.

Hymn 3:24.

Pardon and strength from Christ.