247 FULL oft the clouds of deepest woe

C.M.

So sweet a message bear,

[find, Dark though they seem, 'twere hard to A frown of anger there.

It needs our hearts be wean'd from earth,
It needs that we be driven,
By loss of every earthly stay,
To seek our joys in heaven.
For we must follow in the path
Our Lord and Saviour run;
We must not find a resting-place
Where he we love had none.

248 THOU'RT my rock and my defence ;
Thou a tower unto thy saints;
Thee I make my confidence,

75.

Thee I'll trust, though nature faints,
Glad thy mercies will I sing,
All thy power and love confess;
Thou hast been, O heavenly King,
My safe refuge in distress!

249 FIERCE burning coals of juniper,

C.M.

And arrows of the strong,

Await those false and cruel tongues,

Which do the righteous wrong.

But as for me my song shall rise
Before Jehovah's throne,

For he has seen my deep distress,
And hearken'd to my groan.

250IN vain the powers of darkness try,

C.M.

To work the church's ill,

The Friend of sinners reigns on high,
And checks them at his will.

Though mischief in their hearts may dwell,
And on their tongues deceit,
A word of his their pride can quell,
And all their aims defeat.

My trust is in his grace alone;
His house shall be my home,
How sweet his mercies past to own,
And hope for more to come.

251 GOD counts the sorrows of his saints, Their groans affect his ears;

C.M.

Thou hast a book for my complaints,
A bottle for my tears.

When to thy throne I raise my cry,
The wicked fear and flee :

So swift is prayer to reach the sky;
So near is God to me.

In thee, most holy, just and true,
I have reposed my trust;
Nor will I fear what man can do,
The offspring of the dust.

252OH! taste and see that God is good,

C.M.

And that his saints are blest ;
Grace never can be understood
Till in the heart it rest.

Oh! trust the Lord, desponding saint,
Of all that to him flee,

There's none hath ever been in want,
And none shall ever be.

253 CAPTAIN of our soul's salvation,

8.7.4

Perfect made thyself in woe,
Thou didst seek no reputation

When thou wast with man below;
'Mid the lowest,

'Mid the vilest thou didst go.

They whose ills were most distressing,
They who were of sinners chief,
Gladly sought thy gracious blessing,
Ran to thee for sure relief;

Thou didst bless them-
Thou didst carry all their grief.

All with heavy debts embarrassed,
Who no hope of pardon see,
All with fears of judgment harass'd,
Look for help, O Lord, to thee:
Thou dost freely

Welcome all who come to thee.

2541 BOW towards thy mercy-seat :

L.M.

Haste, Lord, thy servant haste to meet,
To thee, addressed, my sorrows rise ;
Lord, bend thine ear, accept my cries.

O let my prayer before thee come,
Sweet as the censer's fragrant fume;
And may the hands which thus I rear,
An evening sacrifice appear!

256 THOU art near; yes, Lord, I feel it,

8.7.

Thou art near where'er I move,

And though sense would fain conceal it,
Faith oft whispers it to love.

257

S.M.

L.M.

Then, my soul, since God doth love thee,
Faint not, droop not, do not fear;
Though his heaven is high above thee, ·
He himself is ever near!

O LEAD me to the rock
That's high above my head!
And make the covert of thy wings
My shelter and my shade.
Within thy presence, Lord,
For ever I'll abide :

Thou art the tower of my defence,
The refuge where I hide.

258 O GLORIOUS hour! O blest abode!
I shall be near and like my God;
And flesh and sin no more control
The sacred pleasures of my soul.
My flesh shall slumber in the ground,
Till the last trumpet's joyful sound;
Then burst the chains with sweet surprise,
And in my Saviour's image rise.

259 DELIGHT thyself in God, he'll give

C.M.

Thine heart's desire to thee:
Commit thy way to God alone,
It brought to pass shall be.
And like unto the light he shall
Thy righteousness display;

And he thy judgment shall bring forth,
Like noontide of the day.

260 DEAR Saviour, should our foes defame,

C.M.

Or brethren faithless prove,

Then, through thy grace, be this our aim,
To conquer them by love.

Kept peaceful in the midst of strife,
Forgiving and forgiven;

O may we lead the pilgrim's life,
And follow thee to heaven!

261 MY heart is fix'd, my song shall raise

L.M.

Immortal honours to thy name;
Awake my tongue, to sound his praise,
My tongue, the glory of my frame.
Be thou exalted, O my God,

Above the heavens, where angels dwell;
Thy power on earth be known abroad,
And land to land thy wonders tell.

262 O GOD of love, my God thou art ;

C.M.

263

75.

264

10.10.

II.II.

To thee I early cry ;

Refresh with grace my thirsty heart,
For earthly springs are dry.

Thy power, thy glory let me see,
As seen by saints above;
'Tis sweeter, Lord, than life to me,
To share and sing thy love.

IF thou see thy foe in need,

Haste with cheerful hand to feed ;
House him, clothe him, grant him rest,
Bless him as thou wouldst be blest.

If thy foe be in thy hand,

Every vengeful thought withstand;
Let not anger's sword be bared,
Spare him as thou wouldst be spared,
OH praise ye the Lord

With heart and with voice;

His mercies record,

And round him rejoice.