2 CXCVI. Departed Saints asleep. Mark v. 39. WHY flow these torrents of distress?” The gentle Saviour cries, "Why are my sleeping saints survey'd "Death's feeble arm shall never boast, "Nor o'er their meaner part in dust 3 "I come, on wings of love I come, "My voice shall reach the deepest tomb, 4 "Touch'd by my hand in smiles they rise; "But rob'd with light, and crown'd with joy 5 Jesus, our faith receives thy word; 6 Our willing souls thy summons wait So let thy much-loved presence cheer CXCVII. The Struggle between Faith and Unbelief. Mark ix. 24. In thee believing we rejoice; 2 Thy promises our hearts revive, 30 let not sin and satan boast, While saints lie mourning in the dust; Which thy own gracious hand hath wrought. And put all anxious doubts to flight, CXCVIII. Christ's condescending Regard to little Children. Mark x. 14. 1 SEE Israel's gentle Shepherd stand 2" Permit them to approach," he cries, 3 We bring them, Lord, in thankful hands, 4 Ye little flock, with pleasure hear: 5 If orphans they are left behind, 1 CXCIX. Christian Watchfulness. Mark xiii. 37. A WAKE, my drowsy soul, awake, 2 'Tis not this mortal life alone All thine eternal hopes are lost, 3 Now to the work of God awake; 4 The awful register goes on, The account will surely come, And opening day, or closing night 5 Tremendous thought! How deep it strikes! Till God's own voice the slumbers chase CC. The Nativity of Christ. Luke ii. 10—12. 1 HAIL, progeny * divine ! Hail, virgin's wondrous Son! Our voices sing, Of grace ador'd. 2 Ye princes, disappear, And boast your crowns no more; Where Jesus dwells, The manger bare Your pomp excels. 3 With Bethlehem's shepherds mild Their sovereign lies Heaven's court is there. 4 Thither, my soul, repair, CCI. The Angel's Song at Christ's Birth. Luke ii. 13, 14. 1 HIGH let us swell our tuneful notes, For angels no such love have known 2 Good-will to sinful men is shewn, * Offspring. + Birth-day. 3 Justice and grace with sweet accord Let heaven and earth in concert join, 4 Glory to God in highest strains 5 When shall we reach those blissful realms, And learn of the celestial choir, Their own immortal strains? CCII. Simeon's Song and Declaration to the Virgin Mary. I OUR eyes salvation see, 2 3 4 How wide its splendors are diffus'd! Through distant Heathen lands And to the realms, where Satan reign'd, The Israel of the Lord In Christ their glory boast, And on the honours of his name Their whole salvation trust. By him shall millions rise To an immortal crown, And millions, that his grace despise, 5 Our reckoning is begun, And on the account will go, Till clos'd in everlasting joy, CCIII. Christ's Message. Luke iv. 18, 19. 1 HARK the glad sound! the Saviour comes! The Saviour promis'd long! Let every heart prepare a throne, 2 On him the spirit largely pour'd Exerts its sacred fire; * Lively. LUKE. Wisdom and might, and zeal and love 3 He comes the prisoners to release, The gates of brass before him burst, 4 He comes from thickest films of vice And on the eye-balls of the blind 5 He comes the broken heart to bind, 6 His silver trumpets publish loud 7 Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace, And heaven's eternal arches ring CCIV. The recovered Dæmoniac, an Emblem of a converted Sinner. 1 JESUS, we own thy saving power, 2 O'er souls, by passions uproar fill'd The nobler powers, restor'd by thee, 3 No more they rend their cloathing off; But gentle and compos'd they wait 4 O'er thousands more, where Satan rules, May we such triumphs see; And be their rescu'd souls and ours Devoted, Lord, to thee. The acceptable year of the Lord, i, e. the year of jubilee, Levit. XXV, +Confusion and disorder. |