Pause

Are we the soldiers of the cross? The followers of the Lamb? And shall we fear to own his cause, Or blush to speak his name?

Now we must fight, if we would reign; Increase our courage, Lord! We'll bear the toil, endure the pain, Supported by thy word.

Thy saints in all this glorious war Shall Conquer tho' they're slain; They see the triumph from afar, And shall with Jesus reign.

When that illustrious day shall rise, And all thy armies shine In robes of victory thro' the skies, The glory shall be thine.

Hymn 1:38. [Supplement.] The universal law of equity. Matt. 8. 12.

Blessed Redeemer how divine, How righteous is this rule of thine, "To do to all men just the same "As we expect or wish from them."

This golden lesson, short and plain, Gives not the mind nor memory pain; And every conscience must approve This universal law of love.

How blest would every nation be, Thus rul'd by love and equity! All would be friends without a foe, And form a paradise below.

Jesus, forgive us, that we keep Thy sacred law of love asleep, No more let envy, wrath, and pride, But thy blest maxims be our guide.

Hymn 1:39. God's tender care of his church, Isa. 13 &c.

How shall my inward joys arise And burst into a song, Almighty love inspires my heart, And pleasure tunes my tongue.

God on his thirsty Sion-hill Some mercy-drops has thrown, And solemn oaths have bound his love To shower salvation down.

Why do we then indulge our fears, Suspicions and complaints? Is he a God, and shall his grace Grow weary of his saints?

Can a kind woman e'er forget The infant of her womb, And 'mongst a thousand tender thoughts Her suckling have no room?

"Yet (saith the Lord) should nature change, "And mothers monsters prove, "Sion still dwells upon the heart "Of everlasting love.

"Deep on the palms of both my hands "I have engrav'd her name, "My hands shall raise her ruin'd walls, "And build her broken frame."

Hymn 1:40. The business and blessedness of glorified saints, Rev. 7. 13 &c.

"What happy men, or angels these "That all their robes are spotless white? "Whence did this glorious troop arrive "At the pure realms of heavenly light?"

From tort'ring racks and burning fires, And seas of their own blood they came; But nobler blood has wash'd their robes, Flowing from Christ the dying Lamb.

Now they approach th' almighty throne, With loud hosannas night and day, Sweet anthems to the great Three One Measure their blest eternity.

No more shall hunger pain their souls, He bids their parching thirst be gone, And spreads the shadow of his wings To screen them from the scorching sun.

The Lamb that fills the middle throne Shall shed around his milder beams, There shall they feast on his rich love, And drink full joys from living streams.

Thus shall their mighty bliss renew Thro' the vast round of endless years, And the soft hand of sovereign grace Heals all their wounds, and wipes their tears.

Hymn 1:41. The same; or, The martyrs glorified, Rev. 7. 13 &c.

"These glorious minds, how bright they shine "Whence all their white array? "How came they to the happy seats "Of everlasting day?"

From tort'ring pains to endless joys On fiery wheels they rode, And strangely wash'd their raiment white In Jesus' dying blood.

Now they approach a spotless God, And bow before his throne Their warbling harps and sacred songs Adore the Holy One.

The unveil'd glories of his face Amongst his saints reside, While the rich treasure of his grace Sees all their wants supply'd.

Tormenting thirst shall leave their souls, And hunger flee as fast; The fruit of life's immortal tree Shall be their sweet repast.

The Lamb shall lead his heavenly flock Where living fountains rise, And love divine shall wipe away The sorrows of their eyes.

Hymn 1:42. Divine wrath and mercy, Nahum 1, 2 &c.

Adore and tremble, for our God Is a consuming fire;* His jealous eyes his wrath inflame, And raise his vengeance higher.

Almighty vengeance how it burns! How bright his fury glows! Vast magazines of plagues and storms Lie treasur'd for his foes.

Those heaps of wrath by slow degrees Are forced into a flame, But kindled, O how fierce they blaze! And rend all nature's frame.

At his approach the mountains flee, And seek a watery grave; The frighted sea makes haste away, And shrinks up every wave.

Thro' the wide air the weighty rocks Are swift as hailstones hurl'd: Who dares engage his fiery rage That shakes the solid world?

Yet, mighty God, thy sovereign grace Sits regent on the throne, The refuge of thy chosen race When wrath comes rushing down.

Thy hand shall on rebellious kings A fiery tempest pour, While we beneath thy sheltering wings Thy just revenge adore.