3 To those who feel their wretched case,
Aid him to preach thy word of grace;
Sweetly their yielding bosoms move,
And melt them with the fire of love.
4 Let all with thankful hearts confess,
Thy welcome messenger of peace ;
Thy pow'r in his report be found,
And let thy feet behind him sound.
CCCXLVII. L.M. DODDRIDGE,
The goodness of God acknowledged in giving Pastors after his own heart. Jer. iii. 15. At the settlement of a Minister. HEPHERD of Israel, thou dost keep With constant care, thy humble sheep; By thee inferior pastors rise
To feed our souls and bless our eyes.
2 To all thy churches such impart,
Modell'd by thy own gracious heart;
Whose courage, watchfulness and love,
Men may attest, and God approve.
3 Fed by their active, tender care,
Healthful may all thy sheep appear;
And, by their fair example led,
The way to Zion's pasture tread.
4 Here hast thou listen'd to our vows,
And scatter'd blessings on thy house;
Thy saints are succour'd, and no more
As sheep without a guide deplore.
Completely heal each former stroke,
And bless the shepherd and the flock;
Confirm the hopes thy mercies raise,
And own this tribute of our praise.
CCCXLVIII. C.M. NEWTON.
At a Minister's leaving his People-Paul's fare-
well Charge. Acts xx. 26, 27.
WHEN Paul was parted from his friends,
It was a weeping day;
But Jesus made them all amends,
And wip'd their tears away.
2 In heaven they meet again with joy
(Secure no more to part)
Where praises every tongue employ,
And pleasure fills each heart.
3 Thus all the preachers of his grace
Their children soon shall meet;
Together see their Saviour's face,
And worship at his feet.
4 But they who heard the word in vain,
Though oft and plainly warn'd;
Will tremble when they meet again
The ministers they scorn'd.
5 On your own heads your blood will fall
If any perish here;
The preachers who haye told you all
Shall stand approv'd and clear.
6 Yet, Lord, to save themselves alone,
Is not their utmost view;
O hear their prayer, thy message own,
And save their hearers too.
The People's prayer for their Minister.
ITH sovereign power, O Lord defend
Him whom we now to thee commend;
His person bless, his soul secure,
And make him to the end, endure.
2 Gird him with all-sufficient grace,
Direct his feet in paths of peace;
Thy truth and faithfulness fulfil,
And help him to obey thy will.
3 Before him thy protection send;
O guide him, save him to the end;
Nor let him, as thy pilgrim, rove
Without the convoy of thy love.
4 Enlarge, enflame, and fill his heart,
In him thy mighty power exert:
That thousands yet unborn may praise
The wonders of redeeming grace.
CCCL. L. M. GIBBONS.
The Pastor's wish for his People. Phil. iv. 1.
Y brethren, from my heart belov❜d,
Whose welfare fills my daily care,
My present joy, my future crown,
The word of exhortation hear.
2 Stand fast upon the solid rock,
Of the Redeemer's righteousness,
Adorn the gospel with your lives,
And practise what your lips profess.
3 With pleasure meditate the hour,
When he, descending from the skies,
Shall bid your bodies, mean and vile,
In his all-glorious image rise.
4 Glory in his dear, honour'd name,
To him inviolably cleave;
You'r all he purchas'd by his blood,
Nor let him less than all receive.
Given out at Dr. Gibbons's Meeting-house, July 21, when the place was to be shut up for repair.
5 Such is your pastor's faithful charge,
Whose soul desires not yours, but you;
O may he at the Lord's right hand,
Himself and all his people view!
CCCLI. L. M. B. FRANCIS.
Ministers abounding in the work of the Lord.
BEFORE thy throne, eternal King,
Thy ministers their tribute bring,
Their tribute of united praise
For heavenly news and peaceful days.
2 We sing the conquests of thy sword,
And publish loud thy healing word:
While angels sound thy glorious name,
Thy saving grace our lips proclaim.
3 Thy various service we esteem
Our sweet employ, our bliss supreme;
And, while we feel thy heavenly love,
We burn like seraphin above.
4 Nor seraphs there can ever raise
With us, an equal song of praise:
They are the noblest work of God,
But we, the purchase of his blood.
5 Still in thy work would we abound ;
Still prune the vine, or plough the ground;
Thy sheep with wholesome pasture feed,
And watch them with unwearied heed.
6 Thou art our Lord, our life, our love,
Our care below, and crown above:
Thy praise shall be our best employ,
Thy presence our eternal joy.
Lovest thou me? Feed my Lambs, John xxi. 15,
O not I love thee, O my Lord?
Behold my heart and see;
And turn each cursed idol out,
That dares to rival thee.
2 Do not I love thee from my soul?
Then let me nothing love;
Dead be my heart to every joy,
When Jesus cannot move.
3 Is not thy name melodious still
To mine attentive ear?
Doth not each pulse with pleasure bound
My Saviour's voice to hear?
4 [Hast thou a lamb in all thy flock,
I would disdain to feed?
Hast thou a foe, before whose face
I fear thy cause to plead ?
s Would not mine ardent spirit vie
With angels round the throne,
To execute thy sacred will,
And make thy glory known?
Would not my heart pour forth its blood
In honour of thy name?
And challenge the cold hand of death
To damp th' inmortal flame ?]
7 Thou know'st I love thee, dearest Lord,
But, O! I long to soar
Far from the sphere of mortal joys,
And learn to love thee more.
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