Around his sacred tomb
A willing watch ye kept,
While yet in death's deep gloom
The King of glory slept;
Then roll'd the stone, and all ador'd
Your rising Lord, with joy unknown.
When all array'd in light
-The shining Conqueror rode,
Ye hail'd his rapt'rous flight
Up to the throne of God;
And waved around your golden wings,
And struck your strings of sweetest sound.
Praising Christ in concert with angels.
Heb. ii, 11, 16. Rev. v, 8-12.
1 Now let us join with hearts and tongues,
And emulate the angels' songs:
Yea, sinners may address their King
In songs that angels cannot sing.
2 They praise the Lamb who once was slain;
But we can add a higher strain,
Not only say, He suffer'd thus,
But that He suffer'd all for us.
3[Jesus, who pass'd the angels' by,
Assumed our flesh to bleed and die;
And still He makes it his abode;
As Man He fills the throne of God.]
4[Our next of kin, our Brother now,
Is He, to whom the angels' bow:
They join with us to praise his Name,
But we the nearest interest claim.]
5 But, ah! how faint our praises rise!
Sure 'tis the wonder of the skies,
That we, who share his richest love,
So cold and unconcern'd should prove.
6 Oh! glorious hour! it comes with speed,
When we, from sin and darkness freed,
Shall see the Lord, who died for man,
And praise Him more than angels can
Luke iv, 18. 1 Thess. i, 5.
1 GOD, in the gospel of his Son,
Makes his eternal counsels known;
Where love in all its glory shines,
And truth is drawn in fairest lines.
2 The pris'ner here may break his chains;
The weary rest from all his pains;
The captive feel his bondage cease;
The mourner find the way of peace
3 Here faith reveals to mortal eyes
A brighter world beyond the skies;
Here shines the light, which guides our way
From earth to realms of endless day.
4 Oh! grant us grace, Almighty Lord!
To mark and learn thy holy word;
Its truths with meekness to receive,
And by its holy precepts live.
The believer desiring the glories of heaven. Ps. lv, 6-8. Isa. xxxiii, 17.
1 OH! HAD I the wings of a dove,
I'd make my escape and be gone;
I'd mix with the spirits above,
Who encompass yon heavenly throne;
I'd fly from all labour and toil
To the place where the weary have rest; I'd haste from contention and broil
To the peaceful abode of the bless'd. 2 How happy are they, who no more Have to fear the assaults of the foe! Arrived on the heavenly shore,
They have left all their conflicts below; They are far from all danger and fear, While remembrance enhances their joys, As the storm, when escaped, will endear The retreat that the haven supplies.
3 Around that magnificent throne
Where the Lamb all his glory displays,
United for ever in one,
His people are singing his praise.
How holy, how happy are they!
No tongue can express their delight;
My soul, now unwilling to stay,
Prepares for her heavenly flight.
St. Simon and St. Jude.
God the Preserver of the saints.
Jude 24, 25.
1 To GOD the only wise,
Our Saviour and our King,
Let all the saints below the skies
Their humble praises bring.
"Tis his almighty love,
His counsel, and his care,
Preserve us safe from sin and death,
And ev'ry hurtful snare.
He will present his saints,
Unblemish'd and complete,
Before the glory of his face,
With joys divinely great.
Then all the chosen seed
Shall meet around the throne,
Shall bless the conduct of his grace,
And make his wonders known.
To our redeeming God
Almighty power belongs,
Unfading crowns of majesty,
And everlasting songs.
Saints below animated by the example of those above.
Look up to yonder heights!
See myriads round the throne!
Each bears a golden harp;
Each wears a glorious crown;
With joy they strike the sacred lyre,
And strive to raise their praises higher.
Believing in his name,
They in his footsteps trod;
His righteousness their trust;
Their only plea his blood:
Lo! now they reign with Him above,
Behold his face, and sing his love.
And shall we not aspire
Like them our course to run?
The crown if we would wear,
The cross must first be borne:
Divinely taught, they show'd the way,
First to believe, and then obey.
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