Great God, if once compared with thine,
How mean their writings look!
2 Not the most perfect rules they gave
Could show one sin forgiven,
Nor lead a step beyond the grave;
But thine conduct to heaven.

3 I 've seen an end of what we call
Perfection here below,

How short the powers of nature fall,
And can no farther go.

4 Our faith, and love, and every grace,
Fall far below thy word;

But perfect truth and righteousness
Dwell only with the Lord.

Sufficiency of the Scriptures.

EPISCOPAL COLL.

1 GREAT God, with wonder and with praise
On all thy works I look ;

But still thy wisdom, power, and grace
Shine brightest in thy book.

2 Here are my choicest treasures hid ;
Here my best comfort lies;
Here my desires are satisfied;
And here my hopes arise.

3 Lord, make me understand thy law;
Show what my faults have been ;
And from thy gospel let me draw
The pardon of my sin.

202.

L. M.

EXETER COLL.

Divine Love displayed in the Blessings of the Gospel.

1 TO thee my heart, Eternal King!
Would now its thankful tribute bring,
To thee its humble homage raise,
In songs of ardent, grateful praise.

2 All nature shows thy boundless love,
In worlds below and worlds above;
But in thy blessed word I trace
The richer glories of thy grace.

3 There what delightful truths are given ;
There Jesus shows the way to heaven;
His name salutes my listening ear,
Revives my heart, and checks my fear.
4 There Jesus bids our sorrows cease,
And gives the laboring conscience peace;
Raises our grateful feelings high,
And points to mansions in the sky.
5 For love like this, O, may our song
Through endless years thy praise prolong ;
And distant climes thy name adore,

Till time and nature are no more!

Superiority of the Scriptures.

1 O LORD, thy perfect word
Directs our steps aright;
Nor can all other books afford
Such profit or delight.

2 Celestial light it sheds,

To cheer this vale below;
To distant lands its glory spreads,
And streams of mercy flow.

3 True wisdom it imparts;

204.

Commands our hope and fear;
O, may we hide it in our hearts,
And feel its influence there.

C. M.

BEDDOME.

WESLEY'S COLL.

Prayer for a Blessing on the Word.

1 FATHER of all, in whom, alone,
We live, and move, and breathe,

One bright, celestial ray send down,
And cheer thy sons beneath.

2 While in thy word we search for thee,
O, fill our souls with awe;
Thy light impart, that we may see
The wonders of thy law..

3 Now let our darkness comprehend
The light that shines so clear;
Now thy revealing Spirit send,
And give us ears to hear.

4 Before us make thy goodness pass,
Which here, by faith, we know ;
Let us in Jesus see thy face,

And die to all below.

205.

C. M.

MONTGOMERY.

Perfection of the Law and Testimony.

1 THY law is perfect, Lord of light,
Thy testimonies sure;

The statutes of thy realm are right,
And thy commandment pure.

2 Let these, O God, my soul convert,
And make thy servant wise :
Let these be gladness to my heart,
The dayspring to mine eyes.

3 By these may I be warned betimes;
Who knows the guile within?
Lord, save me from presumptuous crimes,
Cleanse me from secret sin.

4 So may the words my lips express,
The thoughts that throng my mind,
O Lord, my strength and righteousness,
With thee acceptance find.

206.

C. M.

SPIRIT OF THE PSALMS.

The Study of God's Word.

1 HAPPY the children of the Lord,
Who, walking in his sight,

Make all the precepts of his word
Their study and delight.

2 That precious wealth shall be their dower,
Which cannot know decay,

Which moth nor rust shall e'er devour,
Nor spoiler take away.

3 For them that heavenly light shall spread,
Whose cheering rays illume
The darkest hours of life, and shed
A glory round the tomb.

4 Their works of piety and love,

Performed through Christ their Lord,
For ever registered above,

207.

Shall meet a sure reward.

C. M.

The Seed of the Word.

1 O GOD, by whom the seed is given,

By whom the harvest blest ;

HEBER.

Whose word, like manna showered from heaven,
Is planted in our breast;

2 Preserve it from the passing feet
And plunderers of the air;
The sultry sun's intenser heat,
And weeds of worldly care!

3 Though buried deep, or thinly strown,
Do thou thy grace supply:

The hope in earthly furrows sown
Shall ripen in the sky.

208.

L. M.

The Scriptures our Light and Guide.

BEDDOME.

1 WHEN Israel through the desert passed,
A fiery pillar went before,

To guide them through the dreary waste,
And lessen the fatigues they bore.

2 Such is thy glorious word, O God;

'T is for our light and guidance given; It sheds a lustre all abroad,

And points the path to bliss and heaven. 3 It fills the soul with sweet delight,

And quickens its inactive powers;
It sets our wandering footsteps right,
Displays thy love and kindles ours.
4 Its promises rejoice our hearts;

Its doctrines are divinely true;
Knowledge and pleasure it imparts ;
It comforts and instructs us too.

5 Ye favored lands, who have this word!
Ye saints, who feel its saving power!
Unite your tongues to praise the Lord,
And his distinguished grace adore.

209.

C. M.

Heavenly Bread.

C. WESLEY.

1 WHAT is the chaff, the word of man,

When set against the wheat?

Can it a dying soul sustain,

Like that immortal meat?

2 Thy word, O God, with heavenly bread
The children doth supply;

And those who by thy word are fed,
Their souls shall never die.