Part 33 (1/2)

He was the sufferer in my stead, The curse for sin lay on his head; The law's demands came like a flood, My Surety met them with his blood.

Till every t.i.ttle had been paid, Till due atonement had been made, No beam appeared of heavenly grace, A cloud concealed his Father's face.

From brim to bottom he drank up Of wrath the deep mysterious cup; This Jordan pa.s.sed, he rose on high, And captive led captivity.

Justice now fully satisfied, The law now honored, magnified, At G.o.d's right hand he takes his place, Executor of covenant grace.

Crowned by Jehovah's firm decree With universal sovereignty, All nature owns his powerful sway-- He speaks, the elements obey.

The emblem then thou may'st pursue, And safely pa.s.s this Jordan through; The priests but touch the watery s.p.a.ce, When, lo, the floods desert their place.

They gather up upon a heap, Leave dry the channel of the deep; The ark and priests there take their stand, And beckon thee to leave the land.

I come, my best Beloved, I come; Now lead me to our Father's home; On thy dear person fix mine eye, And faith firm footing shall supply.

I fear no ill while thou art near; But let thy voice salute my ear, Should spirits faint and 'scape the sigh, With these sweet words, ”Fear not; 'tis I.”

With courage fresh my soul shall tread On faith's firm ground where thou dost lead; While still upon thy gracious face My steady eye maintains its place.

And now, my Joshua, choose, and lay The stones in Jordan's middle way; Let them o'ertop the flowing wave, Memorial of thy power to save.

For, once a suit I did prefer, With feeble hope and trembling fear, That I might have a Pisgah view, In Jordan's swells, of Canaan new.

Thy softened glory let me see, Then cause thy face to s.h.i.+ne on me; And tune my heart, and tune my voice, And language furnish to rejoice.

That all around may lend their tongue, And sweetly join my dying song; Then, Newton, saved by grace like me, We'll sing of sovereign grace with thee.

*”Let us love, and sing, and wonder, Let us praise the Saviour's name; He has hushed the law's loud thunder, He has quenched mount Sinai's flame; He has washed us in his blood, He has brought us nigh to G.o.d.

*Olney Hymns, 82, book 3.

”Let us love the Lord who bought us, Pitied us when enemies; Called us by his grace, and taught us; Gave us ears, and gave us eyes: He has wafted us in his blood, He presents our souls to G.o.d.

”Let us sing, though strong temptation Threaten hard to bear us down: For the Lord, our strong salvation, Holds in view the conqueror's crown, He who washed us in his blood, Soon shall bring us home to G.o.d.

”Let us wonder, grace and justice Join and point to mercy's store; When through grace, in Christ our trust is, Justice smiles, and asks no more.

He who washed us in his blood, Has secured our way to G.o.d.

”Let us praise, and join the chorus Of the saints enthroned on high; Here they trusted him before us, Now their praises fill the sky.

Thou hast washed us in thy blood, Thou art worthy, Lamb of G.o.d.

”Hark, the name of Jesus sounded Loud from golden harps above; On that rock our hopes are founded; Sovereign grace, and sovereign love.

We shall conquer through his blood, Kings and priests be made to G.o.d.”

NEWTON

HEAVEN.