Words: , in the Leeds Hymn Book, 1835, where it was head­ed with the fol­low­ing ex­tract on which it was based:

He charged us be­fore God, and His bless­ed an­gels, if God should re­veal an­y­thing to us by any other in­stru­ment of His, to be as rea­dy to re­ceive it as any truth by his min­is­try; for he was ve­ry con­fi­dent the Lord had more light and truth yet to break forth out of His ho­ly word.

Nar­ra­tive of Pas­tor Rob­in­son’s Ad­dress to the Pil­grim Fa­thers [1620]

Music: Old 22nd, Ang­lo-Ge­ne­van Psal­ter, 1556.


We limit not the truth of God
To our poor reach of mind,
By notions of our day and sect,
Crude, partial, and confined.
No, let a new and better hope
Within our hearts be stirred:

Refrain

The Lord hath yet more light and truth
To break forth from His Word.

Darkling our great forefathers went
The first steps of the way;
’Twas but the dawning yet to grow
Into the perfect day.
And grow it shall, our glorious sun
More fervid rays afford:

Refrain

The valleys passed, ascending still,
Our souls would higher climb,
And look down from supernal heights
On all the bygone time.
Upward we press, the air is clear,
And the sphere-music heard:

Refrain

O Father, Son, and Spirit, send
Us increase from above;
Enlarge, expand all Christian souls
To comprehend Thy love,
And make us to go on, to know
With nobler powers conferred:

Refrain