How great our glorious Shepherd's love

1 How great our glorious Shepherd's love,
Displayed in all its forms!
He feeds his flock, he guards his lambs,
And folds them in his arms.

2 "Forbid them not," he says, "to come
And taste a Savior's love;
They stand within my kingdom here,
And shall in heaven above.

3 "In all my promises of good
Made to my church below,
I ne'er forgot, I still include
Their infant offspring too."

4 Let us accept the offered grace,
And give our babes to God,
By faith apply the gospel seal
Which points to Jesu's blood.

5 Encouraged by his word we come,
With humble hope inspired;
That he will take them in his arms,
And give the grace required.

The Hartford Selection of Hymns from the most approved authors, 1799