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2 Here may the wretched sons of want
Exhaustless riches find;

Riches, above what earth can grant,
And lasting as the mind.

3 Here the fair tree of knowledge grows,
And yields a free repast;
Sublimer sweets than nature knows
Invite the longing taste.

4 Here springs of consolation rise,
To cheer the fainting mind,
And thirsty souls receive supplies,
And sweet refreshment find.

5 Here the Redeemer's welcome voice
Spreads heavenly peace around,
And life and everlasting joys
Attend the blissful sound.

6 O, may these heavenly pages be
My ever-dear delight!

And still new beauties may I see,
And still increasing light!

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1 GOD, in the gospel of his Son, Makes his eternal counsels known; "Tis here his richest mercy shines, And truth is drawn in fairest lines.

2 Wisdom its dictates here imparts,

BEDDOME.

To form our minds, to cheer our hearts;
Its influence makes the sinner live;

It bids the drooping saint revive.

3 Our raging passions it controls,
And comfort yields to contrite souls;
It brings a better world in view,
And guides us all our journey through.

4 May this blest volume ever lie
Close to my heart and near my eye,
Till life's last hour my soul engage,
And be my chosen heritage.

288

C. M.

WATTS.

The Excellency of Scripture. Ps. 119.

1 LORD, I have made thy word my choice, My lasting heritage ;

There shall my noblest powers rejoice,
My warmest thoughts engage.

2 I'll read the histories of thy love,
And keep thy laws in sight,
While through the promises I rove
With ever-fresh delight.

3 'Tis a broad land of wealth unknown,
Where springs of life arise,

Seeds of immortal bliss are sown,
And hidden glory lies.

4 The best relief that mourners have,
It makes our sorrows blest,

Our fairest hope beyond the grave,
And our eternal rest.

237

289

S. M.

WATTS.

God's Word most excellent. Ps. 19.

1 BEHOLD, the morning sun

Begins his glorious way;

His beams through all the nations run,
And life and light convey.

2 But where the gospel comes,
It spreads diviner light;

It calls dead sinners from their tombs,
And gives the blind their sight.

3 How perfect is thy word!

And all thy judgments just!
Forever sure thy promise, Lord,
And men securely trust.

4 My gracious God, how plain
Are thy directions given!
O, may I never read in vain,

But find the path to heaven!

5 I hear thy word with love,

And I would fain obey;
Send thy good Spirit from above,
To guide me lest I stray.

6 While with my heart and tongue
I spread thy praise abroad,
Accept the worship and the song,
My Savior and my God.

238

290

C. M.

Ps. 19.

TATE & BRady.

1 GOD'S perfect law converts the soul,
Reclaims from false desires;

With sacred wisdom his sure word
The ignorant inspires.

2 The statutes of the Lord are just,
And bring sincere delight;

His pure commands in search of truth,
Assist the feeblest sight.

3 His perfect worship here is fixed,
On sure foundations laid;

His equal laws are in the scales
Of truth and justice weighed.

4 Of more esteem than golden mines,
Or gold refined with skill;

More sweet than honey, or the drops
That from the comb distil;-

5 My trusty counsellors they are,
And friendly warnings give:
Divine rewards attend on those
Who by thy precepts live.

291

C. M.

COWPER.

The Light and Glory of the Word.

1 THE Spirit breathes upon the word, And brings the truth to sight;

Precepts and promises afford

A sanctifying light.

2 A glory gilds the sacred page,
Majestic like the sun;

It gives a light to every age,
It gives, but borrows none.

3 The hand that gave it still supplies
The gracious light and heat;
His truths upon the nations rise,
They rise, but never set.

4 Let everlasting thanks be thine,
For such a bright display,

As makes a world of darkness shine
With beams of heavenly day.

5 My soul rejoices to pursue

The steps of him I love,
Till glory break upon my view
In brighter worlds above.

292

C. M.

The Holy Scriptures.

WATTS.

1 LADEN with guilt, and full of fears,
I fly to thee, my Lord;

And not a glimpse of hope appears,
But in thy written word.

2 This is the field where hidden lies
The pearl of price unknown;
That merchant is divinely wise
Who makes the pearl his own.

3 Here consecrated water flows
To quench my thirst of sin;
Here the fair tree of knowledge grows,
Nor danger dwells therein.

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