95.
1 OFTEN thy public means of grace,
Thy thirsty people s wat ring-place,
The archers have beset ;
Attack d them in thy house of pray r,
To prison dragg d, or to the bar,
When thus together met.
2 But we from such assaults are freed,
Can pray and sing and hear and read,
And meet and part in peace :
May we our privileges prize,
In their improvement make us wise,
And bless us with increase.
3 Unless thy presence thou afford,
Unless thy blessing clothe the word,
In vain our liberty !
What would it profit to maintain
A name for life, should we remain
Formal and dead to thee ?
AFTER SERMON.
96.
Beut. xxxiii, 26, 29.
1 WITH Isr el s God who can compare?
Or who like Isr el happy are ?
people saved by the Lord,
He is thy shield and great reward!
2 Upheld by everlasting arms,
Thou art secured from foes and harms ;
In vain their plots, and false their boasts.
Our refuge is the Lord of Hosts.
