Morning Before Baptism, or, at the Water's Side

Verse 1

How great, how solemn is the work Which we attend today! Now for a holy, solemn frame, O God, to thee we pray.

Verse 2

[O may we feel as once we felt, When pained and grieved at heart, Thy kind, forgiving, melting look Relieved our every smart.

Verse 3

Let graces, then in exercise, Be exercised again; And, nurtured by celestial power, In exercise remain.]

Verse 4

Awake our love, our fear, our hope; Wake, fortitude and joy; Vain world, begone; let things above Our happy thoughts employ.

Verse 5

Whilst thee, our Saviour and our God, To all around we own, Drive each rebellious, rival lust, Each traitor from thy throne.

Verse 6

Instruct our minds; our wills subdue; To heaven our passions raise; That hence our lives, our all may be Devoted to thy praise.