556. The superiority of Christ's Priesthood over the Levitical. C.M.

They were many Priests because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death; but Jesus because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable Priesthood-who needeth not daily as those High Priests to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's; for this he did once when he offered up himself......Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing that he ever liveth to make intercession for them.-HEB. vii. 23, 27.

JESUS, in thee our eyes behold
A thousand glories more
Than the rich gems and polish'd gold
The sons of Aaron wore.

2 Their priesthood ran through several hands,

For mortal was their race;

Thy never changing office stands
Eternal as thy days.

3 They first their own burnt off'rings brought

To purge themselves from sin:
Thy life was pure, without a spot,
And all thy nature clean.

4 Fresh blood on each returning day
Was on their altar spilt;
But thy one offering takes away
For ever all our guilt.

5 Jesus, the King of Glory, reigns
On Sion's heav'nly hill;

Looks like a lamb that has been slain,
And wears his priesthood still.

6 He ever lives to intercede
Before his Father's face:
Give him, my soul, thy cause to plead,
Nor doubt the Father's grace.

557. Spiritual declension lamented, and a restoration of spiritual comfort implored. C.M.

He went on frowardly in the way of his heart. I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comfort unto him and to his mourners.ISAI. lvii. 17, 18.

LORD, when my rising thoughts recall
The wonders of thy grace,
Low at thy feet asham'd I fall,

And hide this wretched face.

2 Shall love like thine be thus repaid? Ah, vile ungrateful heart!

By earth's low cares detain'd, betray'd,
From Jesus to depart :

3 From Jesus, who alone can give
True pleasure, peace, and rest:
While absent from the Lord, I live
Unsatisfied, unblest.

4 But He, for his own mercy's sake,
My wand'ring soul restores;
He bids my mourning heart partake
The pardon it implores.

5 O while I breathe to thee, my Lord, The penitential sigh,

Confirm the kind, forgiving word,
And bring thy comforts nigh.

6 Then shall the mourner at thy feet,
Rejoice to seek thy face;

And grateful own how kind, how sweet,
Thy condescending grace.

558. The presence of the Lord the source of all true joy both here and hereafter. C.M.

In thy presence is fulness of joy: at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.-PSA. xvi. 11.

MY God, the spring of all my joys,
The life of my delights;
The glory of my brightest days,
And comfort of my nights;

2 In darkest shades if thou appear,
My dawning is begun :
Thou art my soul's bright morning-star,
And thou my rising sun.

3 The op'ning heav'ns around me shine, With beams of sacred bliss; While Jesus shows his love is mine, And tells me I am his.

4 My soul would leave this heavy clay,
At that transporting word;
Run up with joy the shining way,
To see and praise my Lord.

5 Fearless of hell and ghastly death,
I break through every foe:
The wings of love and arms of faith
Shall bear me conqueror through.

559. The prospect of heaven the believ er's support. C.M.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.-2 COR. iv. 17, 18.

MY thoughts surmount these lower skies,

And look within the veil-;

There springs of endless pleasure rise,
The waters never fail.

2 There I behold with sweet delight
The blessed Three in One;
And strong affections fix my sight
On God's incarnate Son.

3 His promise stands for ever firm,
His grace shall ne'er depart;
his
He binds my name upon arm,
And seals it on his heart.

4 Light are the pains that nature brings; How short our sorrows are,

When with eternal future things,

The present we compare.

5 I would not be a stranger still
To that celestial place,
Where I for ever hope to dwell
Near my Redeemer's face.

560. Christ's Intercession for his people, typified by Aaron's bearing the names. of the children of Israel on his breast plate. C.M.

And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breast plate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.-Exod. xxviii. 29.

NOW let our cheerful eyes survey
Our great High-Priest above;
And celebrate his constant care
And sympathetic love.

2 Tho' raised to a superior throne,
Where angels bow around;
And high o'er all the shining train,
With matchless honours crown'd;

3 The names of all his saints he bears-
Deep graven on his heart;
Nor shall the meanest Christian say
That he hath lost his part.

4 Those characters shall fair abide Our everlasting trust, When gems, and monuments, and

crowns

Are moulder'd down to dust.