So strange, so boundless is his grace,
He takes the vilest of our race,
With him to live and reign.
2 He'll charm them with a holy kiss,
And make them know what union is;
He'll draw them to his breast:
A smiling eye upon them cast,
Which brings them to his feet in haste,
Each singing, "I am blest!
3 I'm blest, I'm blest, for ever blest;
My rags are gone, and I am dress'd
In garments white as snow;
I'm married to the Lord the Lamb,
Whose beauties I can ne'er explain,
Nor half his glory show."
Christ makes known his love to his Spouse.-John xiv. 21.
I'LL speak forth the love of my Lord,
His praises my tongue shall employ;
He bought me with his precious blood,
Nor Gabriel is loved more than I:
Though pure, he for me was made sin;
Though rich, he for me became poor;
Though free, yet a debtor brought in;
For me he has paid the long score.
2 [These truths to my heart he proclaim'd,
When helpless I stood and distress'd,
When I at the bar was arraign'd,
With law, sin, and terrors oppress'd;
No hand to my help did appear;
The witness against me was true;
Which fill'd me with horror and fear
Till Jesus, my Lord, came in view.]
3 He saw me distress'd, and he said,
"Fear not, I procured thy discharge;
I'm Jesus who live, and was dead,
And now will I set thee at large."
Not one in the court did object,
But all gave a smile when he spoke;
He then took the yoke off my neck,
And ravish'd my soul with his look.
4 What joy fill'd my soul, who can tell?
But surely I ne'er shall forget;
My Jesus has all things done well,
And therefore his love I'll repeat:
To him all the glory belongs;
My soul shall speak well of his name;
He now is the theme of my songs,
And shall be for ever the same.
The Love of Christ immeasurable.-Jno. iii. 16.
HIGH beyond imagination
Is the love of God to man;
Far too deep for human reason;
Fathom that it never can:
Love eternal,
Richly dwells in Christ the Lamb.
2 Love like Jesus' none can measure,
Nor can its dimensions know;
"Tis a boundless, endless river,
And its waters freely flow:
Come and taste its streams below.
3 Jesus loved, and loves for ever,
Zion on his heart does dwell;
He will never, never, never
Leave his church a prey to hell:
All is settled,
And my soul approves it well.
"I lay down my life for the sheep."-John x. 15,
O MY soul, admire and wonder;
Jesus lived and died for thee;
He has broke the bands asunder,
And from bondage set thee free:
Sweet deliverance,
Jesus Christ has wrought for me. 2 [I a slave to sin and Satan
Once did live, and liked it well,
But the God of my salvation,
Died to save my soul from hell:
Precious Saviour,
Let me ever with thee dwell.]
8 All the debts I had contracted,
He, in mercy, call'd his own;
And, lest I should be neglected,
Drew me near his gracious throne;
Paid all charges,
Then, and for the time to come. 4 Soon I hope to see his glory, And, with all the saints above,
Sing and tell the pleasing story,
In the highest strains of love;
And for ever,
Live and reign with him above.
"In his love he redeemed them," &c.-Isa. lxiii. 9.
JESUS lived, and loved, and died,
Rose, and lives to intercede;
And with Zion on his breast,
He hath said he'll ever rest.
2 Long before this world was made,
Or that monster Sin appear'd,
God was love, and loved the men
He designed to redeem.
3 Love constrain'd the Lamb to die,
For poor, wretched, guilty I;
Love, immensely great and free,
Christ has shown to worthless me.
4 Once I roll'd in guilt and sin,
Heeded not a heart unclean;
But I now with wonder tell,
Jesus saved my soul from hell.
No Help for Sinners but in Christ.-Eph. i, 6, 7.
WHERE must a sinner fly,
That feels himself undone?
On what kind hand rely,
Eternal wrath to shun?
Can wit or reason help him out,
And bring a lasting peace about?
Reason no help can give,
But leaves him in distress;
Nor can he be reprieved
By works of righteousness:
The law as loud as thunder cries,
"The soul that sins against me, dies."
[Should creatures all agree,
To give him settled rest;
They cannot set him free,
Nor cheer his troubled breast: No human arm his case can reach, Nor men, nor angels, heal the breach.]
Salvation is of God;
Jehovah is his name;
The Saviour shed his blood;
The Lord of Life was slain;
And by his own atoning blood,
He made a precious way to God.
Here sinners may draw near,
With all their sin and guilt;
Nor death nor danger fear,
Since Jesus' blood was spilt,
A door of hope is open'd wide,
In Jesus' bleeding hands and side.
Sinners welcome to Christ-Mark xvi. 15.
YE servants of the Lord,
Ye messengers of grace,
Go forth, with one accord,
Proclaim a full release:
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