The offices of Christ. From several scriptures.

Join all the glorious names

Of wisdom, love, and power,

That ever mortals knew,

That angels ever bore:

All are too mean to speak his worth,

Too mean to set my Savior forth.

But O what gentle terms,

What condescending ways,

Doth our Redeemer use

To teach his heav'nly grace!

Mine eyes with joy and wonder see

What forms of love he bears for me.

[Arrayed in mortal flesh,

He like an angel stands,

And holds the promises

And pardons in his hands;

Commissioned from his Father's throne

To make his grace to mortals known.]

[Great Prophet of my God,

My tongue would bless thy name;

By thee the joyful news

Of our salvation came:

The joyful news of sins forgiv'n,

Of hell subdued, and peace with heav'n.]

[Be thou my Counsellor,

My Pattern, and my Guide;

And through this desert land

Still keep me near thy side:

O let my feet ne'er run astray,

Nor rove, nor seek the crooked way.]

[I love my Shepherd's voice,

His watchful eyes shall keep

My wand'ring soul among

The thousands of his sheep:

He feeds his flock, he calls their names,

His bosom bears the tender lambs.]

[To this dear Surety's hand

Will I commit my cause;

He answers and fulfils

His Father's broken laws:

Behold my soul at freedom set!

My Surety paid the dreadful debt.]

[Jesus, my great High Priest,

Offered his blood, and died;

My guilty conscience seeks

No sacrifice beside:

His powerful blood did once atone,

And now it pleads before the throne.]

[My Advocate appears

For my defence on high;

The Father bows his ears,

And lays his thunder by:

Not all that hell or sin can say

Shall turn his heart, his love away.]

[My dear Almighty Lord,

My Conqueror and my King!

Thy sceptre and thy sword,

Thy reigning grace I sing:

Thine is the power; behold, I sit

In willing bonds before thy feet.]

[Now let my soul arise,

And tread the tempter down;

My Captain leads me forth

To conquest and a crown:

A feeble saint shall win the day,

Though death and hell obstruct the way.]

Should all the hosts of death,

And powers of hell unknown,

Put their most dreadful forms

Of rage and mischief on,

I shall be safe, for Christ displays

Superior power, and guardian grace.

END OF BOOK I.