II.

Fear not, he faid, (for fudden dread
had feiz'd their troubled mind);
Glad tidings of great joy I bring
to you and all mankind.

III.

To you, in David's town, this day, is born, of David's line,

The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord; and this shall be the fign:

IV.

The heav'nly babe you there fhall find to human view display'd,

All meanly wrapt in fwaddling bands, and in a manger laid.

V.

Thus spake the seraph; and forthwith
appear'd a fhining throng
Of angels, praising God; and thus
addrefs'd their joyful fong:

VI.

All glory be to God on high,

and to the earth be peace;

Good will is fhewn by Heav'n to men,

and never more fhall ceafe.

XXXVIII.

1

JU

UST and devout old Simeon liv'd;
to him it was reveal'd,

That Christ, the Lord, his eyes fhould
ere death his eye-lids feal'd.

11.

For this confoling gift of Heav'n

to Ifrael's fallen state,

From year to year with patient hope
the aged faint did wait.

III.

Nor did he wait in vain; for, lo!
revolving years brought round,
In feafon due, the happy day,
which all his wifhes crown'd.

IV.

When Jefus to the temple brought
by Mary's pious care,

As Heav'n's appointed rites requir'd,
to God was offer'd there,

[fee

v.

Simeon into thofe facred courts
a heav'nly impulse drew;
He faw the Virgin hold her Son,
and straight his Lord he knew.

VI.

With holy joy upon his face,
the good old father fmil'd;
Then fondly in his wither'd arms
he clafp'd the promis'd child;

VII.

And while he held the heav'n-born babe, ordain'd to blefs mankind,

Thus fpoke, with earnest look, and heart exulting, yet refign'd:

VIII.

Now, Lord! according to thy word,
let me in peace depart;
Mine eyes have thy falvation feen,
and gladness fills my heart.

IX.

At length my arms embrace my Lord, now let their vigour cease;

At last my eyes my Saviour fee, now let them close in peace.

X.

This great falvation, long prepar'd, and now disclos'd to view,

Hath prov'd thy love was constant still, and promises were true.

XI.

That Sun I now hehold, whofe light fhall Heathen darkness chase; And rays of brightest glory pour around thy chofen race.

XXXIX.

LUKE, iv. 18. 19.

I.

HArk,thegladfound, the Saviour comcs! the Saviour promis'd long;

Let ev'ry heart exult with joy, and ev'ry voice be fong!

II.

On him the fpirit, largely fhed,

exerts its facred fire;

Wisdom and might, and zeal and love, his holy breast inspire. F 2

III.

III.

He comes the pris'ners to relieve in Satan's bondage held;

The gates of brafs before him burst, the iron fetters yield.

IV.

He comes from dark'ning scales of vice to clear the inward fight, And on the eye-balls of the blind to pour celeftial light.

V.

He comes the broken hearts to bind, the bleeding fouls to cure,

And with the treafures of his grace enrich the humble poor.

VI.

The facred year has now revolv'd, accepted of the Lord,

When Heav'n's high promife is fulfill'd, and Ifrael is reftor'd.

VII.

Our glad Hofannahs, Prince of Peace! thy welcome shall proclaim;

And heav'n's exalted arches ring with thy most honour'd name.