Part 48 (1/2)

6 I love the Lord, that stoops so low To give his word a seal; But the rich grace his hands bestow Exceeds the figures still.

Hymn 2:142.

Faith in Christ our sacrifice.

1 Not all the blood of beasts On Jewish altars slain Could give the guilty conscience peace, Or wash away the stain.

2 But Christ the heavenly Lamb Takes all our sins away; A sacrifice of n.o.bler name And richer blood than they.

3 My faith would lay her hand On that dear head of thine, While like a penitent I stand And there confess my sin.

4 My soul looks back to see The burdens thou didst bear When hanging on the cursed tree, And hopes her guilt was there.

5 Believing we rejoice To see the curse remove; We bless the Lamb with cheerful voice, And sing his bleeding love.

Hymn 2:143.

Flesh and spirit.

1 What different powers of grace and sin Attend our mortal state!

I hate the thoughts that work within, And do the works I hate.

2 Now I complain, and groan, and die, While sin and Satan reign: Now raise my songs of triumph high, For grace prevails again.

3 So darkness struggles with the light Till perfect day arise; Water and fire maintain the fight Until the weaker dies.

4 Thus will the flesh and spirit strive, And vex and break my peace; But I shall quit this mortal life, And sin for ever cease.

Hymn 2:144.

The effusion of the Spirit; or, The success of the gospel.

1 Great was the day, the joy was great, When the divine disciples met; Whilst on their heads the Spirit came, And sat like tongues of cloven flame.

2 What gifts, what miracles he gave!

And power to kill, and power to save!

Furnish'd their tongues with wondrous words, Instead of s.h.i.+elds, and spears, and swords.

3 Thus arm'd, he sent the champions forth From east to west, from south to north; ”Go, and a.s.sert your Saviour's cause, ”Go, spread the mystery of his cross.”

4 These weapons of the holy war, Of what almighty force they are To make our stubborn pa.s.sions bow, And lay the proudest rebel low!

5 Nations, the learned and the rude, Are by these heavenly arms subdu'd; While Satan rages at his loss, And hates the doctrine of the cross.

6 Great King of Grace, my heart subdue, I would be led in triumph too, A willing captive to my Lord, And sing the victories of his word.

Hymn 2:145.

Sight through a gla.s.s, and face to face.