Part 25 (1/2)

4 There endless crowds of sinners lie, And darkness makes their chains; Tortur'd with keen despair they cry, Yet wait for fiercer pains.

5 Not all their anguish and their blood For their old guilt atones, Nor the compa.s.sions of a G.o.d Shall hearken to their groans.

6 Amazing grace, that kept my breath, Nor bid my soul remove, Till I had learn'd my Saviour's death, And well insur'd his love!

Hymn 2:3.

The death and burial of a saint.

1 Why do we mourn departing friends Or shake at death's alarms?

'Tis but the voice that Jesus sends To call them to his arms.

2 Are we not tending upward too As fast as time can move?

Nor would we wish the hours more slow To keep us from our love.

3 Why should we tremble to convey Their bodies to the tomb?

There the dear flesh of Jesus lay, And left a long perfume.

4 The graves of all his saints he bless'd, And soften'd every bed; Where should the dying members rest, But with the dying head?

5 Thence he arose, ascending high, And shew'd our feet the way; Up to the Lord our flesh shall fly At the great rising day.

6 Then let the last loud trumpet sound, And bid our kindred rise, Awake, ye nations under ground, Ye saints, ascend the skies.

Hymn 2:4.

Salvation in the cross.

1 Here at thy cross, my dying G.o.d, I lay my soul beneath thy love, Beneath the droppings of thy blood, Jesus, nor shall it e'er remove.

2 Not all that tyrants think or say, With rage and lightning in their eyes, Nor h.e.l.l shall fright my heart away, Should h.e.l.l with all its legions rise.

3 Should worlds conspire to drive me thence, Moveless and firm this heart should lie; Resolv'd (for that's my last defence) If I must perish, there to die.

4 But speak, my Lord, and calm my fear, Am I not safe beneath thy, shade?

Thy vengeance will not strike me here, Nor Satan dares my soul invade.

5 Yes, I'm secure beneath thy blood, And all my foes shall lose their aim, Hosanna to my dying G.o.d, And my best honours to his Name.

Hymn 2:5.

Longing to praise Christ better.

1 Lord, when my thoughts with wonder roll O'er the sharp sorrows of thy soul, And read my Maker's broken laws Repair'd and honour'd by thy cross;

2 When I behold death, h.e.l.l and sin, Vanquish'd by that dear blood of thine, And see the man that groan'd and dy'd Sit glorious by his Father's side;

3 My pa.s.sions rise and soar above, I'm wing'd with faith and fir'd with love; Fain would I reach eternal things, And learn the notes that Gabriel sings.