For a Preacher of the Gospel, Hymn 10: For a Lay Preacher

I Thank Thee, Lord of earth and heaven,
That Thou to me, e'en me. hast given
The knowledge of Thy grace,
(Which flesh and blood could ne'er reveal,)
And call'd a babe Thy love to tell,
And stammer out Thy praise.

None of the sacred order I,
Yet dare I not the grace deny
Thou hast on me bestow'd,
Constraint to speak in Jesu's name,
And show poor souls the' atoning Lamb,
And point them to His blood.

I now believe, and therefore speak,
And found myself, go forth to seek
The sheep that wander still;
For these I toil, for these I care,
And faithfully to all declare
The peace which all may feel.

My God supply Thy servant's need,
If Thou hast sent me forth indeed
To make Thy goodness known;
Thy Son in sinners' hearts reveal,
By gracious signs my mission seal,
And prove the word Thine own.

O for Thy only Jesu's sake,
Into those arms of mercy take
Thy meanest messenger,
And ever in Thy keeping have,
And grant me, Lord, at last to save
Myself with all that hear.
CLXXXVIL THE SAME.— HYMN u.
O THOU whose gracious word
I to the world proclaim,
Be mindful of Thy promise, Lord,
Be jealous for Thy name;
From what I always fear
My tempted soul defend,
And keep Thy meanest messenger,
And keep me to the end.
Thou seest 'this feeble heart,
Which trembles every day,
Lest I myself from Thee depart,
And die a castaway,
Lest I the' occasion give
To all who hate Thy cross,
And to reproach Thy people live,
And to disserve Thy cause.
Thou know'st the tenfold rage
Wherewith Thy foe pursues,
The men in our adulterous age
Whom Thou art pleased to use,
But never, never leave
A soul employ'd by Thee,
Nor let the subtle fiend deceive,
Or serve himself on me.
Rather my spirit take
To rest with Thee above,
For Thy own name and glory's sake,
For Thy own truth and love,
Let me from Satan fly
Into the arms Divine,
And all-renew'd this moment die,
To live for ever Thine.