Much I admire the sacred page,

But more the Saviour's worth.

Lot's preservation in, and deliverance from Sodom, evidently displayed the mercy and love of a gracious God. To what a horrible state of depravity were the cities of the plain reduced! But many departments of the British Empire, are not less corrupt! -Blessed be God! he has a remnant according to the election of grace-a few names in this our Sardis-a seed to serve him, not in the oldness of the letter, but, in the newness of the spirit. And it is for their sakes our nation is not like Sodom, and like the cities of Gomorrah. Our great national sin is pride, which leads to oppression; and our great religious sin, the rejection of the Son of God: but this is frequently done by those, who mention his name.

57.

WORSHIP.

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.---Heb. x. 25.

1. WHEN to worship, Lord, we meet,

Banish far our anxious care;

While we lie before thy feet,
Answer our united pray'r.

2. Teach us truly how to pray,

Carnal else will be our cries;
Turn us, Lord, from self away,

And from Jesus send supplies.

3. Dead and lifeless, Lord, we feel,
Barren as the wilderness;

Cold as ice, and hard as steel,
Lord, 'tis thus, we must confess.

4. Send a spark of heav'nly fire,

Quick as light'ning to the soul;
This shall melt and bring us nigh'r,
Raise us up, and make us whole.

5. Holy Comforter, descend, Testify of Christ the Lamb:

From the foe our hearts defend,
And with zeal our hearts inflame.
Jun sem

6. Ev'ry burthen'd soul relieve,

Wipe away the mourners' tears;
Help them fully to believe,

And on thee to cast their cares.

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To assemble publicly in the name, and for the worship of God, is both the believer's duty and privilege those who neglect the public worship of God, pour contempt on him by whom it was instituted. But, believer, watch and be careful, lest, through thy regular attendance on the means, thy heart should lose sight of the God of the means. What is it that makes the means desirable? It is the promise of Jehovah's presence, and the hope that we shall meet our best Beloved there. And truly the saints are not always disappointed of this their expectation; I say, not always; for sometimes it doubtless is the case, they attend where the truth is faithfully preached; they sit and hear, (if not asleep,) and are a burthen to themselves, because the Comforter that should relieve is far from them.Query. Does the carnal heart complain thus?

58.

THE SAME.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen.---1 Chron. xvi. 36.

1. DEAR Saviour, look down from above, Come over the mountains of sin; Display thy immutable love,

Then shall our hosannas begin.
Embarrass'd and fetter'd we are,
Bewilder'd, confus'd, and dismay'd;
O grant us a spirit of pray'r,
And send us thy merciful aid!

2. The cares and the burthens we feel,
To thee are well known, ev'ry one:
Thou canst all our maladies heal,
And send us relief from thy throne.
Look now upon Zion, the place

Where thou has declar'd thou wilt dwell;
And grant a few rays of thy face,
Then of thy sweet visits we'll tell.

3. Assist, Lord, thy servant to speak
With fervor and faithfulness too;
To strengthen the feeble and weak,
His strength and his courage renew.

And we, who receive thy blest word,
Will praise thee again and again:
Hallelujah, thy name be ador'd
For ever and ever, amen.

The text which stands at the head of the Hymn, concludes the Psalm which David composed and sung, when the Ark, by his direction, was brought from the house of Obed-edom, and lodged in the city of David. When the Ark arrived, David stood in the public assembly, and blessed the people in the name of the Lord: "And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine." (1 CHRON. XVI. 3.) David was a type of Jesus in his Kingly and Priestly offices: he stands in the public assemblies of his saints; and, by the ministry of his word and Spirit, gives them bread and flesh and wine. O sweet repast! Jesus is the bread of life; and his flesh is meat indeed. His blood, also, more sweet and exhilarating than the choicest wine, gladdens the heart of the sorrowful and sad.