Though the Latin name of it,
Gloria Patri, be retained in our nation from the Romish church;
and thought there may be some excesses of superstitious honour paid
to the words of it, which may have wrought some unhappy prejudices
in weaker Christians, yet I believe it still to be one of the
noblest parts of Christian worship. The subject of it is the
doctrine of the Trinity, which is that peculiar glory of the Divine
Nature, that our Lord Jesus Christ has so clearly revealed unto
men, and is so necessary to true Christianity. The action is praise,
which is one of the most complete and exalted parts of heavenly
worship. I have cast the song into a variety of forms, and have
fitted it to a plain version, or a larger paraphrase, to be sung
either alone, or at the conclusion of another Hymn. I have added
also a few hosannas, or ascriptions of salvation to Christ, in the
same manner, and for the same end.
Doxologies.
Hymn 3:26. 1st. L.M.
A song of praise to the ever-blessed Trinity,
God in Father, Son, and Spirit.
1 Bless'd be the Father and his love:
To whose celestial source we owe
Rivers of endless joy above,
And rills of comfort here below.
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