3 But though sin no more enslave us,
It may well our wonder move,
That to him who died to save us
We should so unfaithful prove.
Who so base, so vile as we!
Who so "full of grace" as he!
4 Let us sing the Saviour's praises,
He alone could set us free;
And we hope he soon will raise us
With himself in heav'n to be.
Let us glow with love to him,
Let his grace be all our theme.
L. M. Reconciliation with God. 2 Cor. v. 19-21. 1 WITH arms uplifted once we fought Against the majesty on high;
His laws and goodness set at nought,
And proudly dar'd his wrath defy.
2 Blinded in mind, in conscience sear'd,
We knew not, car'd not, what we did;
In league with hell we liv'd, nor fear'd
The awful doom on sin decreed.
3 But, O stupendous grace! behold
God stoops us worms to reconcile;
His Son submits to woes untold,
That rebels might possess his smile.
4 Now, through that sacrifice made known,
Cleansing from sins of deepest dye,
He calls us to approach his throne,
And pleads with us,
5 His matchless love in Christ, reveal'd
By the bless'd Spirit to the soul,
Our enmity is slain, we yield,
And joyful bow to his control.
6 Henceforth his favour we enjoy,
He loves us with paternal love;
On earth his praise is our employ,
His grace shall be our song above.
78. Redemption in its various stages the occasion of joy and praise in heaven. From several Scriptures.
1 O! what joy there was in heav'n,
And what thanks to God were giv'n,
When, this beauteous world to frame,
He in might and goodness came;
Songs of praise were heard on high,
Echo'd from the lofty sky.
2 O! what joy there was in heav'n,
And what thanks to God were giv'n,
When he did his love reveal
To our race which from him fell,
And redemption did disclose
As the day of grace arose.
3 O! what joy there was in heav'n,
And what thanks to God were giv❜n,
When the angels did proclaim
On the plains of Bethlehem,
"Jesus born, on earth good will,
"God's high praise let heav'n fulfil."
4 O! what joy there was in heav'n,
And what thanks to God were giv❜n,
When the Saviour, in his might,
Put the hosts of hell to flight,
Burst the bands of death, and rose
Triumphing o'er all his foes.
5 O! what joy there is in heav'n,
And what thanks to God are giv'n,
When the sinner, gone astray,
Turns into the narrow way,
And the soul, by grace renew'd,
Is with holiness imbu'd.
6 O! what joy will be in heav'n,
And what thanks to God be giv'n,
When, in Christ's millenial reign,
Earth, in universal strain,
Sings "Salvation" to her God,
And becomes his bless'd abode.
7 O! what joy will be in heav'n,
And what thanks to God be giv'n,
When, redemption's works complete,
All the glorified shall meet,
Rais'd from death, and near his throne,
Jesus' wonders to make known.
SECTION SECOND.-PROCEEDING FROM DIVINE GRACE.
S. M. Salvation by grace.
GRACE! 'tis a charming sound,
Harmonious to the ear;
Heav'n with the echo shall resound,
And all the earth shall hear.
Grace first contriv'd the way,
To save rebellious man;
And all the steps that grace display
Which drew the wondrous plan.
3 Grace all our debt has paid,
Through Christ the heav'nly Lamb,
Sent forth, a victim in our stead,
To bear our sin and shame.
Grace taught our roving feet
To tread the heav'nly road;
And new supplies each hour we meet
While pressing on to God.
Grace all the work shall crown,
Through everlasting days;
It lays in heav'n the topmost stone,
And well deserves the praise.
L. M. God's predestination. Romans viii. 29, 30.
1 NOT unto us but to thy grace,
Great Father of eternal love!
Belongs the everlasting praise
That sinners hope to dwell above.
2 Jehovah, sov'reign, just and wise,
Laid the foundation of our peace,
Before he built the lofty skies,
Or form'd the earth, or fill'd the seas.
3 Before his all-creating voice
Adorn'd the sun and moon with light,
Or bid the hosts of heav'n rejoice,
His saints were precious in his sight.
4 He fix'd his people's future lot,
When first he drew creation's plan;
Rejoicing in each favour'd spot,
Where he would dwell with fallen man.
5 No claim had we, who now enjoy
The smiles of our redeeming God;
He only knows who chose us, why
Our hearts are his divine abode.
How free, how glorious is the grace!
How wonderful the sov'reign love!
Which chose our souls, our time, our place,
Before he bid the planets move.
L. M. Salvation originating in the purpose of God.
Epb. i. 3, 4. 2 Tim. i. 9, 10.
1 Now to the pow'r of God supreme,
Be everlasting honours giv'n;
He saves from hell, we bless his name!
He calls our wand'ring feet to heav'n.
2 Not for our duties or deserts,
But of his own abounding grace,
He works salvation in our hearts,
And forms a people for his praise.
3 'Twas his own purpose that begun
To rescue rebels doom'd to die;
He gave us grace in Christ his Son
Before he spread the starry sky.
4 Jesus the Lord appears at last,
And makes his Father's counsels known;
Declares the great transactions past,
And brings immortal blessings down.
C. M. Sin reigning to man's destruction, and grace to his salvation. Romans v. 20, 21.
1 BEHOLD, beneath sin's tyrant sway,
Mankind resign their breath;
The dreadful summons all obey,
And victims fall to death.
2 But lo! where sin did once prevail,
Destroying all our race,
Grace more illustrious triumphs now,
And reigns through righteousness.
3 High seated on its glorious throne
Grace rules with sov'reign pow'r;
And breaks the tyranny of sin,
Till death is known no more.
4 Grace now to life eternal reigns,
Through our exalted Lord;
For us he endless joys obtain'd,
And be his name ador'd.
C. M. Salvation by grace not by works. Titus iii, 3-8.
1 COME saints, with all your pow'rs to praise And magnify his name,
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