THE PREFACE. COURTEOUS READER, I' F thou art acquainted with the Divine Life, 1 need not inform thee that altho' all the Acts and Exercifes of Devotion are fweet and delightful, yet we never resemble the Bleffed Worshippers above more than when we are joining together in public Devotions, and, with Hearts and Lips unfeigned, finging Praifes to him who fitteth upon the Throne for ever.-Confequently, Hymns compofed for fuch a Purpofe ought to abound much in Thanksgiving, and to be of fuch a Nature, that all who attend may join in them without being obliged to fing Lies, or not fing at all.-Upen this Plan the following Collection of Hymns is founded:-They are intended purely for focial Worship, and fo altered in fome Particulars, that I think all may fafely concur in ufing them.-They are short, because I think three or four Stanzas, with a Doxology, are fufficient to be fung at one Time.—I am no great Friend to long Sermons, long Prayers, or long Hymns.-They generally weary inftead of edifying, and therefore A 2 The PREFACE. I think should be avoided by those who prefide in nay public Worshipping Affembly.-Befides, as the Ge nerality of those who receive the Gospel are commonly the Poor of the Flock, I have ftudied Cheapnels, as well as Conifenefs.-Much in a little is what God gives us in his Word-And the more we imitate fuch a Method in our public Performances and Devotions, the nearer we come up to the Pattern given us in the Mount.-I think myself justifiable in publishing fome Hymns by way of Dialogue for the ufe of the Society, because fomething like it is practifed in our Cathedral Churches; but much more fo because the Celeftial Choir is reprefented in the Book of the Revelations, as anfwering one another in their heav'nly Anthems.-That we all may be infpired and warmed with a like divine Fire whilft finging below, and be tranflated after Death to join with them in finging the Song of Mofes andthe Lamb above, is the earnest Prayer of, Courtesus Reader, Thy ready Servant, for Christ's Sake, G. W. A Lefs, O my Soul, the living God. Bleft be the Father and his Love Bleft are the Souls that hear and know Begin my Tongue fome heav'nly Theme Bleft Morning whofe young dawning Rays Blood has a Voice to pierce the Skies Brethren, fing, 'tis right you fhou'd Bleft by Jefu's Providence C C. (Ome worship at Emmanuel's Feet Come let us all adore Come, holy Ghoft, our Hearts inspire Clap your Hands, ye People all 34. 14224 13 27 Come, guilty Souls, and flee away Come, my Soul, before the Lamb Come, holy Spirit, heav'nly Dove Come all harmonious Tongues Come, happy Souls, approach your God 88 III Come let us lift our joyful Eyes Come my Father's Family Come ye Lovers of the Lamb Come we that love the Lord Come and let us fweetly join Children of Ifrael, fee what Shade Chrift, from whom all Bleffings flow Come, divine Emmanuel, come D. 879 Eep in the Duft, before thy Throne DDefcend from Heaven, &c. Down headlong from the native Skies |