VIII
’Tis a pattern set for us,
How we ought to wait and pray;
None who plead and wrestle thus
Shall be empty sent away.
89
What Think Ye of Christ?
By Newton
Matthew 22:42.
I
What think you of Christ is the test
To try both your state and your scheme;
You cannot be right in the rest
Unless you think rightly of him.
As Jesus appears in your view,
As he is beloved or not,
So God is disposed to you,
And mercy or wrath are your lot.
II
Some take him a creature to be,
A man, or an angel at most:
Sure these have not feelings like me,
Nor know themselves wretched and lost.
So guilty, so helpless am I,
I durst not confide in his blood,
Nor on his protection rely,
Unless I were sure he is God.
III
Some call him a Saviour in word,
But mix their own works with his plan;
And hope he his help will afford,
When they have done all that they can:
If doings prove rather too light,
(A little, they own, they may fail,)
They purpose to make up full weight,
By casting his name in the scale.
IV
Some style him the pearl of great price,
And say he’s the fountain of joys;
Yet feed upon folly and vice,
And cleave to the world and its toys;
Like Judas, the Saviour they kiss,
And while they salute him, betray;
Ah! what will profession like this
Avail in his terrible day?
V
If ask’d what of Jesus I think—
Though still my best thoughts are but poor,
I say he’s my meat and my drink,
My life and my strength and my store;
My Shepherd, my Husband, my Friend,
My Saviour from sin and from thrall,
My hope from beginning to end,
My portion, my Lord, and my all.
90
The Foolish Virgins.9
By Newton
Matthew 25:1.
I
When descending from the sky
The Bridegroom shall appear,
And the solemn midnight cry
Shall call professors near,
How the sound our hearts will damp—
How will shame o’erspread each face
If we only have a lamp
Without the oil of grace!
II
Foolish virgins then will wake
And seek for a supply;
But in vain the pains they take
To borrow or to buy:
Then with those they now despise
Earnestly they’ll wish to share;
But the best among the wise
Will have no oil to spare.
III
Wise are they, and truly blest,
Who then shall ready be!
But despair will seize the rest,
And dreadful misery:
Once, they’ll cry, we scorn’d to doubt,
Though in lies our trust we put;
Now our lamp of hope is out—
The door of mercy shut.
IV
If they then presume to plead,
“Lord, open to us now;
We on earth have heard and pray’d,
And with thy saints did bow:”
He will answer from his throne
“Though you with my people mix’d,
Yet to me you ne’er were known;
Depart, your doom is fix’d.”
V
Oh that none who worship here
May hear that word, depart!
Lord, impress a godly fear
On each professor’s heart:
Help us, Lord, to search the camp,
Let us not ourselves beguile,
Trusting to a dying lamp,
Without a stock of oil.
91
Peter Sinning and Repenting
By Newton
Matthew 26:73.
I
When Peter boasted, soon he fell,
Yet was by grace restored;
His case should be regarded well
By all who fear the Lord.
II
A voice it has, and helping hand,
Backsliders to recall;
And cautions those who think they stand,
Lest suddenly they fall.
III
He said, “Whatever others do,
With Jesus I’ll abide;”
Yet soon amidst a murd’rous crew
His suff’ring Lord denied.
IV
He who had been so bold before
Now trembled like a leaf—
Not only lied, but cursed and swore,
To gain the more belief.
V
While he blasphemed he heard the cock,
And Jesus look’d in love;
At once, as if by lightning struck,
His tongue forebore to move.
VI
Deliver’d thus from Satan’s snare,
He starts, as from a sleep;
His Saviour’s look he could not bear,
But hasted forth to weep.
VII
But sure the faithful cock had crow’d
A hundred times in vain
Had not the Lord that look bestow’d
The meaning to explain.
VIII
As I, like Peter, vows have made,
Yet acted Peter’s part;
So conscience, like the cock, upbraids
My base ungrateful heart.
IX
Lord Jesus, hear a sinner’s cry,
My broken peace renew;
And grant one pitying look, that I
May weep with Peter too.
92
The Legion Dispossessed
By Newton
Mark 5:18–19.
I
Legion was my name by nature,
Satan raged within my breast,
Never misery was greater,
Never sinner more possess’d:
Mischievous to all around me,
To myself the greatest foe;
Thus I was when Jesus found me,
Fill’d with madness, sin, and woe.
II
Yet in this forlorn condition,
When he came to see me free,
I replied to my Physician,
“What have I to do with thee?”
But he would not be prevented,
Rescued me against my will:
Had he stayed till I consented
I had been a captive still.
III
“Satan, though thou fain wouldst have it,
Know this soul is none of thine;
I have shed my blood to save it,
Now I challenge it for mine;10
Though it long has thee resembled,
Henceforth it shall me obey:
Thus He spoke, while Satan trembled,
Gnash’d his teeth, and fled away.
IV
Thus my frantic soul He heal’d,
Bid my sins and sorrows cease;
“Take,” said he, “my pardon sealed,
I have saved thee—go in peace.”
Rather take me, Lord, to heaven,
Now thy love and grace I know;
Since thou hast my sins forgiven,
Why should I remain below?
V
“Love,” he said, “will sweeten labours;
Thou hast something yet to do;
Go and tell your friends and neighbours
What my love has done for you;
Live to manifest my glory,
Wait for heaven a little space:
Sinners, when they hear thy story,
Will repent and seek my face.”
93
The Ruler’s Daughter Raised
By Newton
Mark 5:39–42.
I
Could the creatures help or ease us
Seldom should we think of prayer;
Few, if any, come to Jesus
Till reduced to self-despair:
Long we either slight or doubt him;
But when all the means we try
Prove we cannot
