54. Invitation to Sinners, or a Word

from the Minister.

INVITATION.

SINNERS, the gladsome tidings hear,
The messengers of truth declare;
Pointing the way that leads to God,
Salvation through a Saviour's blood.

Ye weeping souls dry up your tears,
Grace calls you to renounce your fears;
Justice was fully satisfied,

When on the cross our Jesus died.

Yea, let the vilest come to him
Who a vile thief did once redeem;
Hearts base as hell he can controul,
And spread new pow'rs throughout the whole.

O be ye reconcil'd to God!

"Tis grace, free grace, that sounds abroad; How bright the beams of mercy shine, In this salvation so divine!

55. A Song of Praise. SYDENHAM.

IN

'N God's own house pronounce his praise,
His grace he there reveals;

To heav'n your joy and wonder raise,
For there his glory dwells,

Let all your sacred passions move,

While you rehearse his deeds;
But the great work of saying love,

Your highest praise exceeds.
All that have motion, life, and breath,

Proclaim your Maker blest;
Yet when my voice expires in death,

My soul shall praise him best. 56. The Kingdom of Immanuel

exalled. VICTORY: WHEN Jesus first, at heav'n's command,

Descended from his azure throne, Attending Angels join'd his praise, Who claim'd the kingdoms for his own; Hail Immanuel! Immanuel we'll adore; And sound his fame from shore to shore. Girt with omnipotence and grace, The pow'rs of darkness trembling stood To bear the dire decree, and feel The vengeance of the mighty God. Not with the sword that warriors wear, But with a sceptre dipt in blood, He bends the nations to obey; And rules them by the love of God. Ride on and prosper, King of kings, Till all the pow'rs of hell resign Their dreadful trophies at thy feet, And endless glory shall be thine.

57. The Example of Christ and the

Saints.

CONDESCENSION.

GIVE me the wings of faith to rise

Within the veil, and see

The saints above, how great their joys,
How bright their glories be.

Once they were mourning here below,
And wet their couch with tears;
They wrestled hard as we do now,
With sins, and doubts, and fears.

I ask them whence their vict'ry came,
They with united breath

Ascribe their conquest to the Lamb,
Their triumph to his death.

They mark'd the footsteps that he trod,
(His zeal inspir'd their breast ;)
And following their incarnate God,
Possess the promis'd rest.

Our glorious Leader claims our praise,
For his own pattern giv'n;

While the long cloud of witnesses
Shew the same path to heaven.

58. The same as the 148th Psalm.

MAJESTY.

THE Lord Jehovah reigns,

His throne is built on high;

The garments he assumes,

Are light and majesty:

His glories shine with beams so bright,
No mortal eye can bear the sight.

The thunders of his hand

Keep the wide world in awe;
His wrath and justice stand

To guard his holy law:

And where his love resolves to bless,
His truth confirms and seals the grace.

Through all his ancient works
Surprising wisdom shines,
Confounds the pow'rs of hell,

And breaks their curs'd designs:

Strong is his arm, and shall fulfil
His great decrees, his sov'reign will.

And can this mighty King
Of glory condescend?
And will be write his name,

"My Father and my Friend?"

I love his name! I love his word!

Join, all my powers, and praise the Lord!

59.

Reconciliation.

CORNHILL.

RAISE

your triumphant songs

To an immortal tune,
Let the wide earth resound the deeds

Celestial grace hath done.
Sing how eternal love

Its chief beloved chose;
And bid him raise our wretched race

From their abyss of woes.
His hand no thunder bears,

Nor terror clothes his brow,
No bolts to drive our guilty souls

To fiercer flames below.

'Twas mercy fill'd the throne,

And wrath stood silent by, When Christ was sent with pardon down

To rebels doom'd to die.

Now, sinners, dry your tears,

Let hopeless sorrow cease;
Bow to the sceptre of his love,

And take the offer'd peace.
Lord, we obey thy call;

We lay an humble claim
To the salvation thou hast brought,

And love and praise thy name.

F