Page:Our Hymns.djvu/113

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THEIR AUTHORS AND ORIGIN. 93

v. 10, "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself." The other hymn is not in the "New Congregational Hymn Book."

"Great Cod, with wonder and with praise." No. 4G5.

This is part of Song 7 of Watts "Divine Songs for Children." It is headed "The Excellency of the Bible."

"How is our nature spoiled by sin!" No. 477.

This hymn is given by Dr. Watts at the close of his Sermon xxxiv., on "The Atonement of Christ," on the text "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation." Horn. iii. 25.

"What shall the dying Sinner do?" No. 481.

This is given after Sermons xvi. and xvii., on "A Rational Defence of the Gospel; or, Courage in Professing Christianity."The hymn is headed "The Gospel the power of God to salvation," on the text Rom. i. 16, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ," &c.,

"And is this life prolonged to me?" No. 488.

This is the hymn to Sermon xxxix., on "The Right Improvement of Life," on the text" Whether life or death all are yours." 1 Cor. iii. 22.

"Sinner, why so thoughtless grown?" No. 491.

This is taken from a curious piece in Watts "Lyrics," headed "The Hardy Soldier," and dedicated to the Right Honourable John Lord Cutts (at the siege of Namure). Watts piece begins

"O why is man so thoughtless grown?"

and the second verse

"Are lives but worth a soldier's pay?"

There are six stanzas. Who gave the piece its present striking form is not ascertained; but it appears as we have it in "Rippon's Collection," 1787.