“If on him thou canst believe,
By the death which he has died,
Thou salvation shalt receive.”
While the living word he heard,
Faith sprung up within his heart,
And released from all he fear’d,
In their joy his soul had part.
IV
Sinners, Christ is still the same;
O that you could likewise fear!
Then the mention of his name
Would be music to your ear:
Jesus rescues Satan’s slaves,
His dear wounds still plead, “Forgive!”
Jesus to the utmost saves;
Sinners, look to him and live.
124
The Exorcists
By Newton
Acts 19:13–16.
I
When the apostle wonders wrought,
And heal’d the sick in Jesu’s name,
The sons of Sceva vainly thought
That they had power to do the same.
II
On one possess’d they tried their art,
And naming Jesus preach’d by Paul,
They charged the spirit to depart,
Expecting he’d obey their call.
III
The spirit answer’d with a mock,
“Jesus I know, and Paul I know;
I must have gone if Paul had spoke;
But who are ye that bid me go?”
IV
With fury then the man he fill’d,
Who on the poor pretenders flew;
Naked and wounded, almost kill’d,
They fled in all the people’s view.
V
Jesus! that name pronounced by faith,
Is full of wonder-working power:
It conquers Satan, sin, and death,
And cheers in trouble’s darkest hour.
VI
But they who are not born again
Know nothing of it but the sound;
They do but take his name in vain
When most their zeal and pains abound.
VII
Satan their vain attempts derides,
Whether they talk or pray or preach;
Long as the love of sin abides,
His power is safe beyond their reach.
VIII
But you, believers, may rejoice,
Satan well knows your mighty Friend;
He trembles at your Saviour’s voice,
And owns he cannot gain his end.
125
Paul’s Voyage
By Newton
Acts 27.
I
If Paul in Cesar’s court must stand,
He need not fear the sea,
Secured from harm on every hand
By the divine decree.
II
Although the ship in which he sail’d
By dreadful storms was toss’d,
The promise over all prevailed,
And not a life was lost.
III
Jesus! the God whom Paul adored,
Who saves in time of need;
Was then confess’d by all on board,
A present help indeed!
IV
Though neither sun nor stars were seen,
Paul knew the Lord was near;
And faith preserved his soul serene,
When others shook for fear.
V
Believers thus are toss’d about,
On life’s tempestuous main;
But grace assures beyond a doubt,
They shall their port attain.
VI
They must, they shall appear one day
Before their Saviour’s throne;
The storms they meet with by the way
But make his power known.
VII
Their passage lies across the brink
Of many a threat’ning wave;
The world expects to see them sink,
But Jesus lives to save.
VIII
Lord, though we are but feeble worms,
Yet since thy word is past,
We’ll venture through a thousand storms,
To see thy face at last.
126
The Good That I Would Do, I Do Not
By Newton
Romans 7:19.
I
I would, but cannot sing—
Guilt has untuned my voice,
The serpent sin’s envenom’d sting
Has poison’d all my joys.
II
I know the Lord is nigh,
And would, but cannot pray;
For Satan meets me when I try,
And frights my soul away.
III
I would, but can’t repent,
Though I endeavour oft;
This stony heart can ne’er relent
Till Jesus make it soft.
IV
I would, but cannot love,
Though woo’d by love divine:
No arguments have power to move
A soul so base as mine.
V
I would, but cannot rest
In God’s most holy will;
I know what he appoints is best,
Yet murmur at it still.
VI
O could I but believe!
Then all would easy be;
I would, but cannot—Lord, relieve;
My help must come from thee!
VII
But if indeed I would,
Though I can nothing do;
Yet the desire is something good,
For which my praise is due.
VIII
By nature prone to ill,
Till thine appointed hour,
I was as destitute of will,
As now I am of power.
IX
Wilt thou not crown at length
The work thou hast begun,
And with a will afford me strength
In all thy ways to run?
127
Salvation Drawing Nearer
By Newton
Romans 13:11–12.
I
Darkness overspreads us here,
But the night wears fast away;
Jacob’s Star will soon appear,
Leading on eternal day!
Now ’tis time to rouse from sleep,
Trim our lamps, and stand prepared,
For our Lord strict watch to keep,
Lest he find us off our guard.
II
Let his people courage take,
Bear with a submissive mind
All they suffer for his sake—
Rich amends they soon will find:
He will wipe away their tears,
Near himself appoint their lot;
All their sorrows, pains, and fears,
Quickly then will be forgot.
III
Though already saved by grace,
From the hour we first believed;
Yet while sin and war have place,
We have but a part received:
Still we for salvation wait,
Every hour it nearer comes!
Death will break the prison gate
And admit us to our homes.
IV
Sinners, what can you expect,
You who now the Saviour dare,
Break his laws, his grace reject?
You must stand before his bar!
Tremble, lest he say, depart!
Oh! the horrors of that sound!
Lord, make every careless heart
Seek thee while thou may’st be found.
128
That Rock Was Christ
By Newton
1 Corinthians 10:4.
I
When Isr’el’s tribes were parch’d with thirst,
Forth from the rock the waters burst,
And all their future journey through
Yielded them drink and gospel too?
II
In Moses’ rod a type they saw
Of His severe and fiery law;
The smitten rock prefigured Him
From whose pierced side all blessings stream.
III
But ah! the types were all too faint
His sorrows or His worth to paint;
Slight was the stroke of Moses’ rod,
But He endured the wrath of God.
IV
Their outward rock could feel no pain,
But ours was wounded, torn, and slain;
The rock gave but a wat’ry flood,
But Jesus pour’d forth streams
