XXVII. WELCOME TO THE TABLE. THIS is the feast of heavenly wine The juices of the living vine Oh! bless the Saviour, ye that eat, Not heaven affords a costlier treat, The vile, the lost, he calls to them, Approach, ye poor, nor dare refuse If guilt and sin afford a plea, Surely the Lord will welcome me, And I shall see his face. XXVIII. JESUS HASTING TO SUFFER. THE Saviour, what a noble flame Was kindled in his breast, When hasting to Jerusalem, Good-will to men and zeal for God With all his sufferings full in view, Lord, we return thee what we can: And while thy bleeding glories here XXIX. EXHORTATION 10 PRAYER WHAT Various hindrances we meet In coming to a mercy-seat! Yet who that knows the worth of prayer, Prayer makes the darken'd cloud withdraw, Luke xii. 50. Restraining prayer, we cease to fight; The weakest saint upon his knees. While Moses stood with arms spread wide, Have you no words? Ah! think again, Were half the breath thus vainly spent Your cheerful song would oftener be, XXX. THE LIGHT AND GLORY OF THE WORD. THE Spirit breathes upon the Word, And brings the truth to sight; A glory gilds the sacred page, It gives a light to every age, The hand that gave it still supplies Let everlasting thanks be thine, As makes a world of darkness shine My soul rejoices to pursue XXXI. ON THE DEATH OF A MINISTER. His master taken from his head, Elisha saw him go; And in desponding accents said, But he forgot the Lord who lifts Will soon be made his own. What! when a Paul has run his course, Or when Apollos dies, Is Israel left without resource? And have we no supplies? Yes, while the dear Redeemer lives We have a boundless store, And shall be fed with what he gives, Who lives for evermore. XXXII. THE SHINING LIGHT. My former hopes are fled, I feel, alas! that I am dead Ah, whither shall I fly! I hear the thunder roar; When I review my ways, I see, or think I sce, A glimmering from afar; A beam of day, that shines for me, To save me from despair. Forerunner of the sun, * |