49

L. M. Mercy and Truth.

TN thee, O God, are all the springs

WATTS.

Of boundless love and grace unknown;
All the rich gifts which nature brings,
Are gifts descending from thy throne.
2. High o'er the earth thy Mercy reigns,
And reaches to the utmost sky:
Thy Truth to endless years remains,
Though lower worlds dissolve and die.

3. 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.

50

L. M. Providence.

COWPER.

ALMIGHTY King, whose wondrous hand Supports the weight of sea and land, Whose grace is such a boundless store, No heart shall break that sighs for more. 2. Thy Providence supplies my food, And 'tis thy blessing makes it good; My soul is nourished by thy word, Let soul and body praise the Lord. 3. My streams of outward comfort came From him who built this earthly frame; Whate'er I want, his bounty gives, By whom my soul for ever lives.

4. Forgive the song that falls so low,
Beneath the gratitude I owe !

It means thy praise, however poor,
An angel's song can do no more.

51

C. M. The same.

STEELE.

THY wisdom, power, and goodness, Lord!
In all thy works appear;
And, O! let man thy praise record,
Man, thy distinguished care!

2. From thee the breath of life he drew;
That breath thy power maintains ;
Thy tender mercy, ever new,

His brittle frame sustains.

3. Yet nobler favours claim his praise,
Of reason's light possess'd;
By revelation's brightest rays
Still more divinely bless'd.

4. Thy Providence, his constant guard,
When threatening woes impend,
Or will the impending dangers ward,
Or timely succours lend.

5. On us that providence has shone,
With gentle smiling rays;

52

O may our lips and lives make known
Thy goodness and thy praise.

L. M. The same.

WESLEY.

GOD of my life, whose gracious power,
Through varied deaths my soul hath led,
Or turned aside the fatal hour,

Or lifted up my sinking head;

2. In all my ways thy hand I own,
Thy ruling Providence I see :
Assist me still my course to run,
And still direct my paths to thee.

3. Oft hath the sea confessed thy power,
And given me back at thy command;
It could not, Lord, my life devour,
Safe in the hollow of thine hand.

4. Whither, O whither should I fly!
But to my loving Saviour's breast:
Secure within thine arms to lie,

And safe beneath thy wings to rest.
5. Foolish, and impotent, and blind,
Lead me a way I have not known;
Bring me where I my heaven may find,
The heaven of loving Thee alone.

53 C. M. Mysteries of Providence. BEDDOME.

GREAT God of Providence! thy ways
Are hid from mortal sight;
Wrapt in impenetrable shades,
Or clothed with dazzling light.

2. The wondrous methods of thy grace
Evade the human eye;

The nearer we attempt to approach,
The farther off they fly.

3. But in the world of bliss above,
Where thou dost ever reign,

These mysteries shall be all unveiled,
And not a doubt remain.

4. The Sun of righteousness shall there
His brightest beams display,

And not a hovering cloud obscure
That never-ending day.

THY way, O God! is in the sea,
Thy paths I cannot trace;

Nor comprehend the mystery
Of thy unbounded grace.

FAWCETT.

2. Here the dark veils of flesh and sense
My captive soul surround,
Mysterious deeps of Providence
My wandering thoughts confound.

3. "Tis but in part I know thy will;
I bless thee for the sight:
When will thy love the rest reveal,
In glory's clearer light?

4. With rapture I shall then survey
Thy providence and grace;
And spend an everlasting day
In wonder, love, and praise.

55 L. M. Perfections and Works celebrated. WATTS. OUR God and King, thy various praise Shall fill the remnant of our days;

Thy grace employ our humble tongues
Till death and glory raise our songs.

2. Thy Truth and Justice we'll proclaim;
Thy Bounty flows an endless stream;
Thy Mercy swift, thine anger slow,
But dreadful to the stubborn foe.

3. Thy Works with sovereign glory shine,
And speak thy majesty divine:

Let Britain round her shores proclaim
The sound and honour of thy name.

4. Let distant times and nations raise The long succession of thy praise; And unborn ages make our songs The joy and labour of their tongues. 56 L. M. Glory of God in Redemption. WATTS. NATURE with open volume stands,

To spread her Maker's praise abroad; And every labour of his hands Shows something worthy of a God. 2. But in the grace that rescued man, His brightest form of glory shines; Here on the cross 'tis fairest drawn, In precious blood and crimson lines. 3. Here I behold his inmost heart,

Where grace and vengeance strangely join, Piercing his Son with sharpest smart, To make the purchased pleasures mine. 4. O the sweet wonders of that cross, Where God the Saviour loved and died! Her noblest life my spirit draws

From his dear wounds and bleeding side. 5. I would for ever speak his name,

57

In sounds to mortal ears unknown,
With angels join to praise the Lamb,
And worship at his Father's throne.

L. M. The same.

THE heavens above, O Lord, display
Thy majesty in bright array;

With marks of thine almighty power,
Adorning each revolving hour.