Part 45 (1/2)

2 The Lord reveals his face, And smiling from above, Sends down the gospel of his grace, Th' epistles of his love.

3 These sacred words impart Our Maker's just commands; The pity of his melting heart, And vengeance of his hands.

4 [Hence we awake our fear, We draw our comfort hence; The arms of grace are treasur'd here, And armour of defence.

5 We learn Christ crucify'd, And here behold his blood: All arts and knowledges beside Will do us little good.]

6 We read the heavenly word, We take the offer'd grace, Obey the statutes of the Lord, And trust his promises.

7 In vain shall Satan rage Against a book divine; Where wrath and lightning guard the page, Where beams of mercy s.h.i.+ne.

Hymn 2:121.

The law and gospel distinguished.

1 The law commands, and makes us know What duties to our G.o.d we owe; But 'tis the gospel must reveal Where lies our strength to do his will.

2 The law discovers guilt and sin, And shews how vile our hearts have been; Only the gospel can express Forgiving love and cleansing grace.

3 What curses doth the law denounce Against the man that fails but once!

But in the gospel Christ appears Pardoning the guilt of numerous years.

4 My soul, no more attempt to draw Thy life and comfort from the law, Fly to the hope the gospel gives; The man that trusts the promise lives.

Hymn 2:122.

Retirement and meditation.

1 My G.o.d, permit me not to be A stranger to myself and thee; Amidst a thousand thoughts I rove Forgetful of my highest love.

2 Why should my pa.s.sions mix with earth, And thus debase my heavenly birth?

Why should I cleave to things below, And let my G.o.d, my Saviour go?

3 Call me away from flesh and sense, One sovereign word can draw me thence; I would obey the voice divine, And all inferior joys resign.

4 Be earth with all her scenes withdrawn, Let noise and vanity be gone; In secret silence of the mind, My heaven, and there my G.o.d I find.

Hymn 2:123.

The benefit of public ordinances.

1 Away from every mortal care, Away from earth our souls retreat; We leave this worthless world afar, And wait and wors.h.i.+p near thy seat.

2 Lord, in the temple of thy grace We see thy feet, and we adore; We gaze upon thy lovely face, And learn the wonders of thy power.

3 While here our various wants we mourn, United groans ascend on high, And prayer bears a quick return Of blessings in variety.

4 [If Satan rage and sin grow strong, Here we receive some cheering word; We gird the gospel armour on To fight the battles of the Lord.

5 Or if our spirit faints and dies, (Our conscience gall'd with inward stings) Here doth the righteous sun arise With healing beams beneath his wings.]