Common Metre. JERVIS.
Penitent supplication.
1 THOU, LORD! in mercy wilt regard
The upright and sincere:
Thou wilt, with gracious eye, behold
The penitential tear.
2 Thou canst restrain wild passion's sway, The pow'r of vice control;
Restore bright reason's ray divine,
To purify the soul.
3 O GOD! from error turn my feet,
That I no more may stray;
And guide my steps direct and safe,
In virtue's peaceful way.
4 Let me no more, with wilful mind,
Thy righteous laws offend:
Then shall I know nor guilt nor fear,
If thou be still my friend.
Long Metre. JERVIS.
The guilty mind relieved by the hope of forgiveness.
HILE, with remorse and woe op-
prest,
Distraction haunts the guilty breast;
The broken heart, the troubl'd mind,
In GoD alone shall succour find.
2 'Tis his the wounds of vice to heal;
The charms of mercy to reveal;
He grants the penitent relief,
And cheers the soul o'erwhelm'd with grief.
3 When by temptation's billows tost,
On rocks of ruin well nigh lost;
Still, hope, the anchor of the soul,
Shall folly's beating wave control.
4 To all the world's delusive joys,
Ensnaring wiles, and empty noise,
The sinner bids a long farewell,
And loves with purity to dwell.
5 In her secure and calm retreat,
He now enjoys a tranquil state;
Conscious that GOD will deign to hear
The contrite, humble, and sincere.
Long Metre. MERRICK.
Imploring divine protection.
TWIE eyes me war der d from the
HINE eyes in me the sheep behold,
That guideless, helpless, strives in vain
To find its safe retreat again:
2 Now listens, if perchance its ear
The shepherd's well-known voice may hear;
Now, as the tempests round it blow,
In plaintive accents vents its woe.
3 Great Ruler of this earthly ball! Do thou my erring steps recall;
O seek thou him who thee has sought,
Nor turns from thy decrees his thought.
Short Metre. WATTS.
Forgiveness of sin upon confession.
BLESSED souls are they,
Whose sins are cover'd o'er!
Divinely blest, to whom the LORD
Imputes their guilt no more!
2 They mourn their follies past,
And keep their hearts with care;
Their lips and lives without deceit,
Shall prove their souls sincere.
While I conceal'd my guilt,
I felt the fest'ring wound;
But I renounc'd my former sins,
And peace and pardon found.
Let sinners learn to pray;
Let saints keep near the throne;
Our help in time of deep distress,
Is found in GoD alone.
Devout Affections and Good Resolutions.
Long Metre. MERRICK.
The pleasures of devotion.
OD of my strength! to thee I cry;
To thee, my surest refuge, fly:
O may thy light attend my way,
Thy truth afford its cheering ray!
2 Conduct me to thy hallow'd seat,
Where wisdom, truth, and mercy meet;
And there, in all its best array,
My heart its richest gifts shall pay.
3 Thy mercies, to my heart reveal'd,
A theme of endless transport yield;
Thy love does all my bosom fire,
Thy praise does all my song inspire.
4 In all our cares, in all our woes,
On GoD our stedfast hopes repose;
To GOD our thanks shall still be paid,
Our sure defence, our constant aid.
Common Metre. Miss H. M. WILLIAMS.
Habitual devotion.
HILE thee I seek, protecting Pow'r!
Be my vain wishes still'd;
And may this consecrated hour
With better hopes be fill'd.
2 Thy love the pow'rs of thought bestow'd;
To thee my thoughts would soar;
Thy mercy o'er my life has flow'd:-
That mercy I adore!
3 In each event of life, how clear
Thy ruling hand I see!
Each blessing to my soul more dear,
Because conferr'd by thee.
4 In ev'ry joy that crowns my days,
In ev'ry pain I bear,
My heart shall find delight in praise,
Or seek relief in pray'r.
5 When gladness wings my favour'd hour,
Thy love my thoughts shall fill:
Resign'd, when storms of sorrow low'r,
My soul shall meet thy will.
6 My lifted eye, without a tear,
The low'ring storm shall see;
My stedfast heart shall know no fear:-
That heart shall rest on thee!
HILE thoughtless sinners choose
The road that leads to death;
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