One of my favourite hymns was written by Joseph Hart, 1712-1768. At one time Joseph Hart’s hymns were widely used, especially by Calvinistic Nonconformists. Many of them are loved because of the great earnestness and passionate love of the Redeemer. This particular hymn is very special to me because of its unconditional free offer of the gospel to guilty sinners.
1 Come ye sinners poor and wretched,
Weak and wounded sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love and power;
He is able,
He is willing; doubt no more.
Weak and wounded sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love and power;
He is able,
He is willing; doubt no more.
2 Ho! ye needy, come and welcome,
God's free-bounty glorify,
True belief and true repentance,
Every grace that brings us nigh,
Without money,
Come to Jesus Christ and buy.
God's free-bounty glorify,
True belief and true repentance,
Every grace that brings us nigh,
Without money,
Come to Jesus Christ and buy.
3 Let not conscience make you linger,
Nor of fitness fondly dream:
All the fitness he requireth,
Is to feel you need of him;
This he gives you,
'Tis the Spirit's glimmering beam.
Nor of fitness fondly dream:
All the fitness he requireth,
Is to feel you need of him;
This he gives you,
'Tis the Spirit's glimmering beam.
4 Come ye weary, heavy laden,
Bruised and mangled by the fall.
If you tarry till you're better,
You will never come at all;
Not the righteous,
Sinners Jesus came to call.
Bruised and mangled by the fall.
If you tarry till you're better,
You will never come at all;
Not the righteous,
Sinners Jesus came to call.
5 Agonizing in the garden,
Lo your Maker prostrate lies!
On the bloody tree behold him,
Hear him cry before he dies,
"It is finished,"
Sinner, will not this suffice?
Lo your Maker prostrate lies!
On the bloody tree behold him,
Hear him cry before he dies,
"It is finished,"
Sinner, will not this suffice?
6 Lo! th'incarnate God ascended,
Pleads the merit of his blood;
Venture on him, venture freely,
Let no other trust intrude:
None but Jesus,
Can do helpless sinners good.
Pleads the merit of his blood;
Venture on him, venture freely,
Let no other trust intrude:
None but Jesus,
Can do helpless sinners good.
7 Saints and angels, joined in concert,
Sing the praises of the Lamb,
While the blissful seats of heaven,
Sweetly echo with his name,
Hallelujah!
Sinners here may do the same.
Sing the praises of the Lamb,
While the blissful seats of heaven,
Sweetly echo with his name,
Hallelujah!
Sinners here may do the same.
What a beautifull text! Thank you for sharing! Jacco
ReplyDeleteDear Jack,
ReplyDeleteTonight I received my daily devotion. It was not just for me, you came to my mind as I read this beautiful devotion. May you rest in this and above in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who knows about our struggles. Have a save journey and God bless you.
John Van Woerden
Chilliwack, BC
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You will soon end your tedious, tiresome journey!
(James Smith, "The Believer's Companion in Seasons of Affliction and Trouble" 1842)
"All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth!" Hebrews 11:13
Every believer is a pilgrim. He is traveling to his Father's house! He is presently a stranger in a strange land, surrounded by temptations, trials, and foes. His journey lies through a great and terrible wilderness. Therefore he must not expect a very smooth path, or many comfortable accommodations. He will have much to grieve and distress him. His heart will be often burdened with grief, and filled with sorrow--tears are common to the Christian. He feels the unsuitableness of the things of time to his spirit, profession, and aim. And therefore he confesses, "I am a stranger and a pilgrim--as all my fathers were!" Psalm 39:12
Weariness and painfulness are his portion now--but a rest remains for him! It is a glorious rest. It embraces and includes all that the believer has prayed for--or can desire!
It waits for him at the end of his journey,
it was prepared for him from the foundation of the world, it is now promised to him in the faithful word, and it will be bestowed upon him when he has fought the good fight, and finished his course.
Everything at present may appear gloomy and distressing; but ahead of you, believer, everything is glorious, magnificent, and blessed! Press on then--fight the good fight of faith. Travel on in the strength of Jesus! You are going home--and you have a glorious home to go to!
The minute after you have entered your rest--you will forget all the fatigue, all the dangers, and all the difficulties of the way! You will perhaps be filled with wonder, that you should ever have allowed such trifles to vex you, or such little trials to discourage you--with such a glorious end before you.
Fellow-pilgrim, expect trouble--but also expect mercy to help you in time of need! Expect to feel your circumstances to be trying--but also expect your Savior's strength to be perfected in your weakness! You will soon end your tedious, tiresome journey--and enter into the joy of your Lord!
Never forget you are now a pilgrim--a stranger--only a sojourner here in this poor world. Here you have no continuing city--but you seek for one to come.
Nothing can make this poor world your rest--it will always be a wilderness to you. Be content then, to wait until you get home! There you shall enjoy--and always enjoy, all your desires! There will not be one unfulfilled want, wish, or desire there! All will be satisfied--all will be full. In a little while--you will see the portal of your Father's house, and hear Him say, "Come in, you who are blessed of the Lord, tarry no longer outside! Come, dwell forever with Me!"