Before Preaching in Cornwall

— HYMN I.

TRUE Witness of the Father's love,
Celestial Messenger Divine,
Come in Thy Spirit from above,
The hearts which Thou hast made incline
Thy faithful record to receive;
That all may hear Thy voice and live.

Send forth the everlasting word,
The word of reconciling grace,
That all may know their bleeding Lord,
The freely proffer'd Gift embrace,
Hang on the all-atoning Lamb,
And bless the sound of Jesu's name.

Jesu, Thou only hast the key,
Open the great effectual door,
Extend Thy line from sea to sea,
And glorify Thy mercy's power,
Redeem the wretched slaves of sin,
And force Thy rebels to come in.

Now to Thy yoke their spirits bow,
Thy way into their hearts prepare,
Be present with Thy servants now,
With me Thy meanest messenger,
Who humbly at Thy bidding come,
To call my fellow-exiles home.

Fisher of men ordain'd by Thee,
O might I catch them by Thy love!
Thy love be first bestow'd on me,
And while the pleasing power I prove,
My tongue shall echo to my heart,
And tell the world how good Thou art.

Teach me to cast my net aright,
The gospel net of general grace,
So shall I all to Thee invite,
And draw them to their Lord's embrace,
Within Thine arms of love include,
And catch a willing multitude..

O might I every mourner cheer,
And trouble every heart of stone,
Save, under Thee, the souls that hear,
Nor lose, in seeking them, my own,
Nor basely from my calling fly,
But for Thy gospel live, and die.