4 Dangers of ev'ry shape and name,
Attend the follow'rs of the Lamb,
Who leave the world's deceitful shore,
And leave it to return no more.
5 God of my life, to thee I call,
Afflicted at thy feet I fall;
When the great water-floods prevail,
Leave not my trembling heart to fail!
HYMN 288. C. M.
Perplexity Relieved.
ANXIOUS, I strove to find the way,
Which to salvation led;
I listen'd long, I try'd to pray,
And heard what many said.
2 When some of joys and comforts told,
I fear'd that I was wrong;
For I was stupid, dead, and cold,
Had neither joys nor song.
3 The Lord my laboring heart reliev'd,
And made my burden light;
Then for a moment I believ'd,
And thought that all was right.
4 Of fierce temptations others talk'd,
Of anguish and dismay;
Thro' what distresses they had walk'd
Before they found the way.
5 Ah! then I thought my hopes were vain, For I had liv'd at ease;
I wish'd for all my fears again,
To make me more like these.
6 I had my wish, the Lord disclos'd
The evils of my heart;
And left my naked soul expos'd
To Satan's fiery dart.
7 Alas! I cry'd, in deep despair,
Borne down with fearful pain;
How can I these fierce terrors bear,
And who will now sustain !
8 Again my Saviour brought me aid,
And when he set me free,
"Trust simply on my word," he said, "And leave the rest to me."
The Sovereign Call of Christ.
IN his own appointed hour,
To my heart the Saviour spoke ;
Touch'd me by his Spirit's pow'r,
And my dang'rous slumber broke.
2 Then I saw and own'd my guilt,
Soon my gracious Lord reply'd;
"Fear not; I my blood have spilt,
'Twas for such as thee I dy'd."
3 Shame and wonder, joy and love,
All at once possess'd my heart;
Can I hope thy grace to prove,
After acting such a part?
4 "Thou hast greatly sinn'd," he said, "But I freely all forgive;
I myself thy debt have paid,
Now I bid thee rise and live."
HYMN 290. C. M.
Old things are passed away.
ET carnal minds the world pursue, It has no charms for me; Once I admir'd its trifles too, But grace has set me free.
2 Its fading charms no longer please,
No more content afford;
Far from my heart be joys like these,
Now I have seen the Lord.
3 As by the light of op'ning day,
The stars are all conceal'd;
So earthly pleasures fade away,
When Jesus is reveal'd.
4 Creatures no more divide my choice,
I bid them all depart;
His name, and love, and gracious voice,
Have fix'd my roving heart.
5 Now, Lord, I would be thine alone,
And wholly live to thee;
But may I hope that thou wilt own
A worthless worm like me!
6 Yes, though of sinners I'm the worst,
I cannot doubt thy will;
For if thou hadst not lov'd me first,
I had refus'd thee still.
HYMN 291. L. M.
Hatred of Sin.
[OST holy Lord! I love thy truth,
M for dare thy least commandment slight;
Yet pierc'd by sin, the serpent's tooth,
I mourn the anguish of the bite.
2 But though the poison lurks within,
Hope bids me still with patience wait;
Till death shall set me free from sin,
Free from the only thing I hate.
3 Had I a throne above the rest,
Where angels and archangels dwell;
One sin, unslain within my breast,
Would make that heav'n as dark as hell.
4 But there no foe invades the bliss,
When glory crowns the Christian's head;
One view of Jesus as he is,
Will strike all sin for ever dead.
Prayer for Grace. Psalm cvi. 4, 5. EMEMBER us, we pray thee, Lord, With those who love thy gracious name : And to our souls that good afford, Thy promise has prepar'd for them. 2 To us thy great salvation show, Give us a taste of love divine; That we thy people's joy may know, And in their holy triumph join.
HYMN 293. Sevens.
Coming to the Throne of Grace.
OT to Sinai's dreadful blaze,
But to Zion's throne of grace,
By a way mark'd out with blood,
Sinners now approach to God.
2 Not to hear the fiery law,
But with humble joy to draw
Water by that well supply'd,
Jesus open'd when he dy'd.
3 Lord, there are no streams but thine,
Can assuage a thirst like mine;
'Tis a thirst thyself didst give,
Let me therefore drink and live.
HYMN 294. L. M.
A Hymn for the Beginning of Worship.
HY presence, gracious God, afford,
Prepare us to receive thy word;
Now let thy voice engage our ear,
And faith be mixt with what we hear.
2 Distracting thoughts and cares remove,
And fix our hearts and hopes above;
With food divine may we be fed,
And satisfy'd with living bread.
3 To us thy sacred word apply,
With sov'reign power and energy;
And may we in thy faith and fear,
Reduce to practice what we hear.
4 Father, in us thy Son reveal;
Teach us to know and do thy will;
Thy saving pow'r and love display,
And guide us to the realms of day.
ISMISS us with thy blessing, Lord,
Help us to feed upon thy word;
All that has been amiss, forgive,
And let thy truth within us live.
2 Though we are guilty, thou art good,
Wash all our works in Jesu's blood;
Give every fetter'd soul release,
And bid us all depart in peace.
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