1 Now be the God of Israel bless'd Who makes his truth appear, His mighty hand fulfils his word, And all the oaths he sware. 2 Now he bedews old David's root With blessings from the skies; He makes the branch of promise grow, The promis'd horn arise. 3 [John was the prophet of the Lord To go before his face, The herald which our Saviour God Sent to prepare his ways. 4 He makes the great salvation known, He speaks of pardon'd sins; While grace divine and heavenly love In its own glory shines. 5 "Behold the Lamb of God," he cries, "That takes our guilt away: "I saw the Spirit o'er his head "On his baptizing day.] 6 "Be every vale exalted high, "Sink every mountain low, "The proud must stoop, and humble souls "Shall his salvation know. 7 "The heathen realms with Israel's land "Shall join in sweet accord; "And all that's born of man shall see "The glory of the Lord. 8 "Behold the morning star arise, "Ye that in darkness sit; "He marks the path that leads to peace, "And guides our doubtful feet." Hymn 1:51. Persevering grace, Jude 24 25. 1 To God the only wise, Our Saviour and our King, Let all the saints below the skies Their humble praises bring. 2 'Tis his almighty love, His counsel, and his care, Preserves us safe from sin and death, And every hurtful snare. 3 He will present our souls Unblemish'd and complete, Before the glory of his face, With joys divinely great. 4 Then all the chosen seed Shall meet around the throne, Shall bless the conduct of his grace, And make his wonders known. 5 To our Redeemer God Wisdom and power belongs, Immortal crowns of majesty, And everlasting songs. Hymn 1:52. Baptism, Matt. 28. 19. Acts 2. 38. 1 'Twas the commission of our Lord, "Go, teach the nations, and baptize;" The nations have receiv'd the word Since he ascended to the skies. 2 He sits upon th' eternal hills, With grace and pardon in his hands, And sends his covenant with the seals, To bless the distant British lands. 3 "Repent, and be baptiz'd, (he saith) For the remission of your sins;" And thus our sense assists our faith, And shews us what his gospel means. 4 Our souls he washes in his blood, As water makes the body clean; And the good Spirit from our God Descends like purifying rain. 5 Thus we engage ourselves to thee, And seal our covenant with the Lord: O may the great eternal Three In heaven our solemn vows record! Hymn 1:53. The Holy Scriptures, Heb. 1. 1 2. 2 Tim. 3. 15 16. Psalm 147. 19 20. 1 God who in various methods told His mind and will to saints of old, Sent down his Son, with truth and grace, To teach us in these latter days. 2 Our nation reads the written word, That book of life, that sure record: The bright inheritance of heaven Is by the sweet conveyance given. 3 God's kindest thoughts are here express'd, Able to make us wise and bless'd; The doctrines are divinely true, Fit for reproof, and comfort too.