Gadsby's Hymns, Sacred Selections, part 1

Q: What does the Bible say about election?

The Bible teaches that God elects individuals for salvation out of His sovereign grace, not based on foreseen merit. The doctrine of election is grounded in Scripture, where it is revealed that God, in His sovereign and eternal plan, chose certain individuals for salvation before the foundation of the world. This is articulated in passages such as Ephesians 1:4-5, which states that He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. Furthermore, Romans 8:29-30 speaks of those whom God foreknew and predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. Election underscores the grace of God, highlighting that salvation is not earned by human works but is a gift bestowed upon those whom God has chosen according to His divine will and purpose.

Q: How do we know God's decrees are true?

God's decrees are true because they are based on His unchanging character and sovereign will, as revealed in Scripture. The truth of God's decrees is rooted in His nature as the sovereign ruler of the universe. The Scriptures affirm that God is eternal, omnipotent, and immutable, meaning His plans and purposes cannot be thwarted or altered. Passages such as Isaiah 46:10 express that God declares the end from the beginning and accomplishes His purposes. This firmly establishes the reliability of His decrees. Additionally, in Romans 8:28, we find that all things work together for good to those who love God, underscoring that God’s sovereign plan is in motion throughout history and in individual lives. The consistency of God’s character and His revealed Word provides assurance that His decrees are not only true but are also trustworthy.

Q: Why is the concept of grace important for Christians?

Grace is essential for Christians as it signifies God's unmerited favor, which freely saves and sustains believers. The concept of grace is foundational to the Christian faith, as it encapsulates the essence of salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 declares that it is by grace we have been saved through faith, emphasizing that this salvation is a gift from God and not a result of our works. This notion of grace highlights the character of God as loving, merciful, and compassionate, drawing sinners to Himself despite their unworthiness. Moreover, grace is not a one-time event but a continual source of strength and sustenance throughout the believer's life (2 Corinthians 12:9). Understanding and embracing grace frees Christians from the burden of trying to earn God’s favor and empowers them to live in light of His love and mercy, resulting in transformed lives that bear witness to the glory of God.

Q: How does the Bible describe regeneration?

Regeneration is described as the work of the Holy Spirit that brings spiritual life to those who were dead in sin. Regeneration is a fundamental doctrine that refers to the act by which the Holy Spirit imparts spiritual life into individuals who are spiritually dead due to sin (Ephesians 2:1-5). This transformative work enables a person to respond to God in faith and repentance, marking the beginning of their new life in Christ. John 3:3 highlights the necessity of being born again to see the kingdom of God, underscoring that this act is solely divine and cannot be accomplished by human effort. Furthermore, Titus 3:5 asserts that we are saved not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy, through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Thus, regeneration is a divine act of grace that fundamentally alters a person's nature, enabling them to pursue holiness and righteousness.

Meditations. Sacred selections
from Gadsby's hymns. Newton. Breathing after love
to Christ. To the point, I long to know. Oft it causes anxious thought. Do I love the Lord or no? Am I His or am I not? If I love, why am I thus? Why this dull and lifeless frame? Hardly sure can they be worse
Who have never heard His name. Could my heart so hard remain
Prayer a task and burden prove, Every trifle give me pain, If
I knew a Saviour's love. When I turn my eyes within, All
is dark and vain and wild, Filled with unbelief and sin, Can I deem myself a child? If I pray, or hear, or read,
sin is mixed with all I do. You that love the Lord indeed,
tell me, is it thus with you Yet I mourn my stubborn will,
find my sin a grief and thrall. Should I grieve for what I feel
if I did not love at all? Could I joy his saints to meet
Choose the ways I once abhorred. Find at times the promise sweet,
if I did not love the Lord. Lord, decide the doubtful case. Thou who art thy people's son,
Shine upon thy work of grace, if it be indeed begun. Let me love thee more and more,
if I love at all, I pray. If I have not loved before, help me. To begin today. Watts, the sovereignty of God. Keep silence, all created things,
and wait your Maker's nod. My soul stands trembling while
she sings the honors of her God. Life, death, and hell, and worlds
unknown, Hang on his firm decree. He sits on no precarious throne,
Nor borrows leave to be, Chained to his throne of volume
wise, With all the fates of men, with every angel's form and size,
drawn by the eternal pen. His providence unfolds the book
and makes His counsels shine. Each opening leaf and every stroke
fulfills some deep design. Here, he exalts neglected worms
to scepters and a crown. And there, the following page,
he turns and treads the monarch down. Not Gabriel asks the reason why,
nor God the reason gives, nor dares the favorite angel pry
between the folded leaves. My God, I would not long to see
my fate with curious eyes. What gloomy lines are writ for
me or what bright scenes may rise. In my fair book of life and grace,
oh, may I find my name, recorded in some humble place, beneath my Lord, the Lamb. Lots, breathing after the Holy
Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly dove. With thy all-quickening powers,
kindle a flame of sacred love in these cold hearts of ours. Look how we grovel here below,
fond of these trifling toys. Our souls can neither fly nor
go to reach eternal joys. In vain we tune our formal songs. In vain we strive to rise. Hosanna's languish on our tongues,
and our devotion dies. Dear Lord, and shall we ever
live at this poor dying rate? Our love so faint, so cold to
Thee, and Thine to us, so great. Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly dove,
with thy all-quickening powers. Come, shed abroad a Savior's
love, and that shall kindle ours. all things decreed. There's not a sparrow nor a worm
thus found in God's decrees. He raises monarchs to their thrones
and sinks them if He please. If light attend the course I
run, tis He provides those raised And tis His hand that hides my
sun, If darkness cloud my days. When He reveals the Book of Life,
O may I read my name, Among the chosen of His love, The followers
of the Lamb. Ryland, God's decrees. Sovereign ruler of the skies,
Ever gracious, ever wise, All my times are in thy hand, All
events at thy command. His decree who formed the earth
fixed my first and second birth. Paris, native place and time,
all appointed were by Him. He that formed me in the womb,
He shall guide me to the tomb. all my times shall ever be ordered
by his wise decree. Times of sickness, times of health,
times of penury and wealth, times of trial and of grief, times
of triumph and relief. Times the tempter's power to
prove, times to taste the Savior's love. All must come and last
and end, as shall please my heavenly friend. plagues and deaths around me
fly. Till he bids, I cannot die. Not a single shaft can hit till
the God of love sees fit. electing grace. Jesus, we bless Thy Father's
name. Thy God and ours are both the
same. What heavenly blessings from
His throne flow down to sinners through His Son. Christ be my first elect, he
said. Then chose our souls in Christ,
our head. Before he gave the mountains
birth, or laid foundations for the earth. Thus did eternal love begin,
to raise us up from death, and sin. Our characters were then decreed,
blameless in love, a holy seed. Predestinated to be thorns, born
by degrees, but chose at once a new, regenerated race, to praise
the glory of His grace. With Christ, our Lord, we share
our part in the affections of His heart. Nor shall our soul's defense
removed Till he forgets his first beloved. Watts, election excludes boasting, But few among the carnal rise,
But few of noble race, Obtain the favour of thy eyes, Almighty
King of Grace. He takes the men of meanest name
for sons and heirs of God, and thus he pours abundant shame
on honorable blood. He calls the fool and makes him
know the mysteries of his grace. to bring aspiring wisdom low,
and all its pride abase. Nature has all its glories lost
when brought before his throne. No flesh shall in his presence
boast, but in the Lord alone. Watts, election, sovereign, and
free. Behold the potter and the clay. He forms his vessels as he please. Such is our God, and such are
we, the subjects of his high decrees. Does not the workman's power
extend O'er all the mass, which part to choose, And mould it
for a nobler end, And which to leave for viler use? May not the sovereign Lord on
high Dispense His favours as He will? Choose some to life
while others die And yet be just and gracious still? What if to make his terror known
He let his patience long endure? Suffering vile rebels to go on
and seal their own destruction, sure. What if he mean to show his grace
and his electing love employs to mark out some of mortal race
and form them fit for heavenly joys Shall man reply against his Lord,
And call his Maker's ways unjust? The thunder of whose dreadful
word Can crush a thousand worlds to dust. But, O my soul, If truths so
bright should dazzle and confound thy sight, Yet still his written
will obey, And wait the great decisive day. Then shall he make his justice
known, and the whole world before his throne with joy or terror
shall confess the glory of his righteousness. Can't effectual calling There is a period known to God
when all His sheep, redeemed by blood, shall leave the hateful
ways of sin, turn to the fold, and enter in. At peace with hell,
with God at war, in sin's dark maze they wander far. indulge their lust and still
go on as far from God as a sheep can run. But see how heaven's indulgent
care attends their wanderings here and there. Still, hard,
at heel, where'er they stray, with pricking thorns to hedge
their way. When wisdom calls, they stop
their ear and headlong urge the mad career. Judgments nor mercies ne'er can
sway their roving feet. to wisdom's way. Glory to God! They ne'er shall rove beyond
the limits of His love, fenced with Jehovah's shalls and wills,
firm as the everlasting hills. The appointed time rolls on apace,
not to propose, but call by grace to change the heart, renew the
will, and turn the feet to Zion's hill. Tucker. Predestination. Fixed was the eternal state of
man ere time its rapid course began. Appointed by God's firm
decree to endless joy or misery. Fixed was the vast eternal deep
Between the goats and chosen sheep. Nor can a union e'er take
place, Twixt heirs of wrath and heirs of grace. Yet o'ering men make much ado,
And strive to force a passage through. But ah! What vain attempt is this, to
strive to ford that deep abyss? All glory to the great I Am,
who chose me in the blessed Lamb, whilst millions of the human
race will never know or taste His grace and blessings on atoning
blood by which I'm reconciled to God and praise be to the Spirit
given who frees from sin and leads to heaven Charles Wesley, redeeming blood. Let the world their virtue boast,
and works of righteousness. I, a wretch undone and lost,
am freely saved by grace. Take me, Savior, as I am, and
let me lose my sins in Thee. Friend of sinners, spotless Lamb,
Thy blood was shed for me. Full of truth and grace, Thou
art, and here is all my hope. False and foul as hell, my heart,
to Thee I offer up. Thou wast given to redeem my
soul from all iniquity. Friend of sinners, Spotless Lamb,
Thy blood was shed for me. Nothing have I, Lord, to pay,
Nor can Thy grace procure. Empty send me not away, For I,
Thou know'st, am poor. Dust and ashes is my name. My all is sin and misery. Friend of sinners, spotless Lamb, Thy blood was shed for me. heart dependence on Christ alone. If ever it could come to pass
that sheep of Christ might fall away, my fickle, feeble soul,
alas, would fall a thousand times a day. were not Thy love as firm, as
free. Thou soon wouldst take it, Lord,
from me. I on my promises depend, at least
I to depend desire, that Thou wilt love me to the end. be with me in temptation's fire wilt for me work and in me too
and guide me right and bring me through no other stay have I beside If these
can alter, I must fall. I look to Thee to be supplied
with life, with will, with power, with all. Rich souls make glory in their
store, but Jesus will relieve the poor. What's God all in all? My God, my life, my love, to
Thee, to Thee I call. I cannot live if Thou remove
for thou art all in all. Thy shining grace can cheer this
dungeon where I dwell. Tis paradise when thou art here. If thou depart, tis hell. The smilings of thy face how
amiable they are. Tis heaven to rest in thy embrace,
and nowhere else but there. To thee, and thee alone, the
angels owe their bliss. They sit around thy gracious
throne, and dwell where Jesus is. Not all the hearts above can
make a heavenly place, if God his residence remove,
or but conceal his face. Nor all the sky can one delight
afford? No, not a drop of real joy Without
thy presence, Lord. Thou art the sea of love, where
all my pleasures roll, the circle where my passions move, the center
of my soul. To Thee, my spirits fly with
infinite desire. And yet, how far from Thee I
lie. Dear Jesus, Raise me higher! Roselle, Regeneration Oh, let my voice proclaim the joys
My heart has known and felt And let my tongue declare the woes
My soul has known by guilt long in the paths of sin I trod,
and in her foulest way provoked a kind and gracious God, and
grieved Him day by day. I tried His patience with my
crimes by days and years of sin, resolved to mend in aftertimes
and wash the leper clean. I tried, resolved, and toiled,
and tugged, but filthier still I grew. My darling sins in secret
hugged, nor how to leave them knew. But when the Lord his arm made
bare, and took my heart in hand, effectual cleansing work was
there which I could not withstand. He doomed me in the dust to lie,
in sorrows sharp and long. then changed my sadness into
joy, my mourning to a song. Brenham, Grace, Sovereign in
Conversion. Oh, why did Jesus show to me
the beauties of His face? Why to my soul did He convey
the blessings of His grace? Oh, how could He so sweetly smile
on such a wretch as I? I, who His name did once revile
and His dear truth deny. but was because He loved my soul,
because He died for me, because that nothing could control His
great, His firm decree. Lord, for Thy manifested grace,
I'll raise a cheerful song till I shall see thy brighter face,
midst the celestial throng. Newton, The Lamentation of a
Newborn Soul O Lord, how vile am I, unholy and
unclean! How can I dare to venture nigh
with such a load of sin? Is this polluted heart a dwelling
fit for thee? Swarming, alas, in every part,
what evils do I see? If I attempt to pray and lisp
thy holy name, My thoughts are hurried soon away, I know not
where I am. If in thy word I look, such darkness
fills my mind. I only read a sealed book, and
no relief can find. Thy gospel oft I hear, but hear
it still in vain? Without desire or love or fear,
I like a stone remain. Myself can hardly bear this wretched
heart of mine. How hateful, then, must it appear
to those pure eyes of thine! and must I then indeed sink in
despair and die? Fain would I hope that thou didst
bleed for such a wretch as I. That blood which thou hast spilt,
that grace which is thy own, can cleanse the vilest sinner's
guilt, and soften hearts of stone. Low at thy feet I bow, O pity
and forgive! Here will I lie and wait till
thou shalt bid me rise and live Watts, divine love making a feast. How sweet and awful is the place
with Christ within the doors, while everlasting love displays
the choicest of her stores. Here, every vowel of our God
with soft compassion rolls. Here, peace and pardon, love
and blood is food for dying souls. While all our hearts and all
our songs join to admire the feast, Each of us cry with thankful
tongues, Lord, why was I a guest? Why was I made to hear thy voice
and enter while there's room, when thousands make a wretched
choice and rather starve than come? T'was the same love that
spread the feast that sweetly forced us in. Else we had still
refused to taste and perished in our sin. Gatsby. Election. Election is a truth
divine, as absolute, as free. Orcs ne'er can make the blessing
mine, tis God's own wise decree. Before Jehovah built the skies,
or earth, or seas, or sun, He chose a people for His praise,
and gave them to His Son. Eternal was the choice of God,
a sovereign act indeed. And Jesus, the incarnate word,
secures the chosen seed. He loved and chose because he
would. Nor did his choice depend on
sinners' work or bad or good. but on His sovereign mind. Nor law, nor death, nor hell,
nor sin can alter His decree. The elect eternal life shall
win, and all God's glory see. His counsel stands forever sure
immortal and divine and justice, mercy, truth and power unite to make it mine H. Fowler Lord, what a wretched, wretched
heart I feel from day to day vile and unsound in every part. So do it, Lord, I pray. I groan and pray and cry and strive
to have it all removed. Can it be thus in those who live,
in those whom God has loved? Can such besetting evils dwell
In sinners born of God? Could black corruption rise and
swell Where Christ applies His blood? To Thee, dear Lord, for light
I cry, Amidst my darksome past. O let thy mercy me supply! O Lord, increase my faith! Newton, Faith's View Amazing grace! How sweet the
sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see. T'was grace that taught my heart
to fear, and grace my fears relieved. How precious the hour I first believed. Through many dangers, toils,
and snares, I have already come. Tis grace has brought me safe
thus far, and grace will lead me home. Yes, when this flesh and heart
shall fail, and mortal life shall cease, I shall possess within
the veil a life of joy and peace. The earth shall soon dissolve
like snow. The sun forbear to shine. But God, who called me here below,
will be forever mine. Heart, come. Raise your thankful voice,
ye souls redeemed with blood. Leave earth and all its toys,
and mix no more with mud. Dearly were bought, highly esteemed,
redeemed with Jesus' blood. Redeemed. Christians are priests and kings,
all born of heavenly birth. Then think on nobler things,
and grovel not on earth. Dearly were bought, highly esteemed,
redeemed with Jesus' blood, redeemed. With heart and a soul and a mind,
exalt redeeming love. Leave worldly cares behind and
set your minds above. Dearly we are bought, highly
esteemed, redeemed with Jesus' blood redeemed. Lift up your ravished eyes and
view the glory given. All lower things despise ye citizens
of heaven. Dearly were bought, highly esteemed,
Redeemed with Jesus' blood. Redeemed. Be to this world as dead. Alive to that to come. Our life in Christ is hid. Who soon shall call us home. dearly were bought, highly esteemed,
redeemed with Jesus' blood. Redeemed. Kelly. Nothing know we of the season
when the laurel shall pass away But we know the saints have reason
to expect a glorious day, when the Savior will return, and His
people cease to mourn. Oh, what sacred joys await them! They shall see the Savior then,
Those who now oppose and hate them never can oppose again. Brethren, let us think of this. All is ours if we are His. Waiting for our Lord's returning,
Be it ours His word to keep. May our lamps be always burning. May we watch while others sleep. We're no longer of the night. We are children of the light. Being of the favored number,
Whom the Savior calls His own? Tis not meet that we should slumber,
Nothing should be left undone. This should be His people's aim,
Still to glorify His name. Let worldly minds the world pursue,
it has no charms for me. Once I admired its trifles too,
but grace has set me free. Its pleasures now no longer please,
no more content afford. Far from my heart be joys like
these. Now I have seen the Lord. As by the light of opening day,
the stars are all concealed, so earthly pleasures fade away
when Jesus is revealed. Creatures no more divide my choice. I bid them all depart. His name and love and gracious
voice have fixed my roving heart. Now, Lord, I would be Thine alone
and wholly live But may I hope that thou wilt
own a worthless worm like me? Yes, though of sinners I'm the
worst, I cannot doubt thy will. For if thou hadst not loved me
first, I thee had hated still. Darriage. Where must a sinner fly who feels
his guilty load and stands condemned to die out of the mouth of God? Can any door of hope be found? Not any shore on nature's ground. What if he meant his life, and
pour out floods of tears, and pray with fervent strife? These pay no past The law, with unrelenting breath,
declares the wage of sin is death. Who then shall reconcile such
jarring things as these? Say, how can justice smile at
mercy on her knees? Or how can mercy lift her head
If all the legal debt is paid? Jesus, thy helping hand, Has
made the contest cease, Paid off each law demand, And bought
the blessed release. Stern justice satisfied by thee,
bids mercy bring the news to me. O tidings sweet of grace to sinners
lost and poor, who humbly seek thy face and knock at mercy's
door. who taste the peace Thy blood
imparts, and feel the Savior in their hearts. All hail! We bless Thee now,
who bought us with Thy blood, our gracious Shepherd Thou, to
bring us home to God, On earth we sing thy bleeding love, And long to see thy face above. D. Herbert How oft I grumble and repine
With blessings in my hand, There's nothing here can satisfy Nor
gold, nor house, nor land Sometimes the Lord bestows on me His fretful
child, a toy On which I raise my prospects high And look for
certain joy But soon there's something intervenes
I've something else in view. The former mercy is forgot, and
I want something new. Oh, this unstable heart of mine is
like the troubled sea. The more I have, the more I want. When shall I settled be? I know this wretched world can't
fill this anxious soul of mine. Oh, could I to my father's will,
my soul, my all, resign? Sometimes, alas, I think I can. I'll trust the world no more. But when I meet some little cross,
I'm fretful as before. Why am I captivated thus, by
such poor trifling toys? Alas, how oft this wretched world
annoys my better joys! I want to trust But cannot trust
a God of Providence. Although He bless from day to
day, I'm full of dissidence. When troubles roll in thick and
fast, Ah, then my faith gives way Sometimes I think I cannot
stand. No, not another day. Sometimes, like Ephraim, I rebel. I cannot bear the yoke. I kick and murmur at the rod
and shrink at every stroke. But when my father smiles again,
Then what a fool am I! Tis then, like Ephraim, I repent
and smite upon my thigh. Like him I mourn, like him I
cry, Lord, hold me with Thy hand, and draw me by Thy special grace. Hold up, and I shall stand. H. Fowler Days of darkness and distress
are my portion here below. Thorny is the wilderness, and
the Lord will have it so. When enlarged in faith and prayer,
His dear faith by faith I see, On the Lord I cast my care, Satisfied
He cares for me. But when days of darkness come,
And my heart is hard and cold, Round the wilderness I roam,
Barren, wandering from the fold. Days of fierce temptation, too,
Furious as the foaming wave, Hide the heavens from my view,
Threatening a watery grave. up I cast my longing eyes tossed
like Jonah in the sea Jesus whispers from the skies as thy days thy strength shall
be top lady Redeemer, whither should I flee,
or how escape the wrath to come? The weary sinner flies to Thee
for shelter from impending doom. Smile on me, gracious Lord, and
show Thyself the friend of sinners now. beneath the shadow of Thy cross,
the heavy-laden soul finds rest. I would esteem the world but
dross, so I might be of Christ possessed. I'd seek my every
joy in Thee. Be Thou both life and light to
me. close to the ignominious tree,
Jesus my humbled soul would cleave, despised and crucified with Thee,
with Thee resolved to die and live. This prayer and this ambition
mine, living and dying, to be thine. There, fastened to the rugged
wood by holy love's resistless chain, and life deriving from
thy blood, never to wander wide again, there May I bow my suppliant
knee and own no other Lord but Thee. Newton. Confession and Prayer
for Church and Nation. O may the power which melts the
rock be felt by all assembled here, or else our service will
but mock the God whom we profess to fear. Lord, while Thy judgments shake
the land, Thy people's eyes are fixed on Thee, We own thy just,
uplifted hand, Which thousands cannot, will not see. How long hast thou bestowed thy
care On this indulged, ungrateful spot, While other nations far
and near Have envied and admired our lust? Here, peace and liberty have
dwelt. The glorious gospel brightly
shone. And oft our enemies have felt
that God has made our cause His own. Both heaven and earth have heard
Our vile requital of His love. We whom like children He has
reared Rebels against His goodness prove. His grace despised, His power
defied, And legions of the blackest crimes profaneness, riot, lust,
and pride are signs that mark the present times. The Lord, displeased, has raised
his rod. Ah, where are now the faithful
few who tremble for the ark of God and know what Israel ought
to do. Lord, hear thy people everywhere,
who meet to mourn, confess, and pray. The nation and thy churches spare,
and let thy wrath be turned away My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest
frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. When darkness veils His lovely
face, I rest on His unchanging grace. In every rough and stormy
gale, my anchor holds within the veil. His oath, His covenant, His blood
support me in the whelming flood. When all around my soul gives
way he then is all my hope and stay I trust his righteous character
his counsel promise and his power his honor and his names at stake
to save me from the burning lake. When I shall launch in worlds
unseen, O may I then be found in Him, dressed in His righteousness
alone, faultless to stand before the throne. heart chastisement gold in the
furnace tried ne'er loses ought but dross so is the Christian
purified and bettered by the cross afflictions make us see what
else would escape our sight How very foul and dim are we. And God, how pure and bright. The punished child repents. The parent's bowels move. The offended father soon relents
and turns with double love. If God rebuke for pride, He'll
humble thy proud heart. If for thy want of love He chide,
That love He will impart. He shall by means like these,
Thy stubborn temper break, Soften thy heart by due degrees, And
make by spirit meek. His chastening therefore pries,
the privilege of a saint. Their hearts are hard, who that
despise, and theirs too weak, who faint. be clothed with humility. Lord, if with thee part I bear,
if I through thy word am clean, in thy mercy if I share, if thy blood has purged my sin, To my needy soul impart Thy good
spirit from above, To enrich my barren heart With humility
and love. Lord, my heart a desert vast,
Thy reviving hand requires Sin has laid my vineyard waste, Overgrown
with weeds and briars. Thou canst make this desert bloom,
Breathe, O breathe, celestial dove, Till it blow with rich
perfume Of humility and love. Vanquish in me lust and pride,
All my stubbornness subdue, Smile me into fruit or chide, If no
milder means will do. Ah, compassionate my case, Let
the poor thy pity move, Give me of thy boundless grace, Give
humility and love. Why should one that bears thy
name, Why should thy adopted child, Be in rags exposed to
shame, Like a savage Fierce and wild With thy children I would
sit And not like an alien rove Clothe my soul and make it fit
With humility and love greatest sinners, greatly spared,
love much and themselves abase. Mine's a paradox too hard, rich
of mercy, poor of grace. Me thou hast forgiven much, This
my sins too plainly prove. Give me what thou givest, such much humility and love. Heart, pray without ceasing. Prayer was appointed to convey
the blessings God designs to give. Long as they live should
Christians pray, for only while they pray they live. The Christian's heart, his prayer
indicts. He speaks as prompted from within. The Spirit, His petition, writes,
and Christ receives and gives it in. Tis prayer supports the soul
that's weak. Though thought be broken, language
lame, pray, if thou canst or canst
not speak. But pray with faith in Jesus'
name. Depend on Him. Thou canst not
fail. Make all thy wants and wishes
known. Fear not. His merits must prevail. Ask what thou wilt, it shall
be done. Heart, treasure in heaven. Remember, man, thy birth. Set not on gold thy heart. Naked thou camest upon the earth,
and naked must depart. This world's vain wealth despise. Happiness is not here. To Jesus lift thy longing eyes,
and seek thy treasure there. If profit be thy scope, Diffuse
thy alms about. The worldling prospers laying
up, The Christian laying out. Returns will not be scant, With
honor in the highest. For who relieves his brethren's
want bestows his alms on Christ. Give gladly to the poor, tis
lending to the Lord. In secret so increase thy store,
and hide in heaven thy hoard. There thou mayest fear no thief,
No rankling rust or moth. Thy treasure and thy heart are
safe. Where one is, will be both. Watts. The Book of Nature and
the Scriptures. The heavens declare thy glory,
Lord. In every star thy wisdom shines. But when our eyes behold thy
word, we read thy name in fairer lines. The rolling sun, the changing
light, and nights and days thy power confess, and the blessed
volume thou hast writ reveals thy justice and thy grace. Sun, moon, and stars convey thy
praise round the whole earth. stand. So, when thy truth begun
its race, destined to spread to every land, nor shall thy
living gospel rest, till through the world thy truth has run. Till Christ has all the nations
blessed that see the light or feel the sun. Great Son of Righteousness, arise! Bless the dark world with heavenly
light. Thy gospel makes the simple wise. Thy laws are pure, thy judgments
right. Thy noblest wonders here we view,
in souls renewed and sins forgiven. Lord, cleanse my sins, my soul
renew. and make thy word my guide to
heaven. Charles Wesley Weary of wandering from the Lord
and now made willing to return I hear and bow me to the rod
For now, not without hope, I mourn. There is an advocate above, a
friend before the throne of love. O Jesus, full of truth and grace,
more full of grace than I of sin, Yet once again I seek thy face. Open thy arms and take me in. All my backslidings freely heal,
And love the faithless sinner still. Thou knowest the way to bring
me back, my fallen spirit to restore. Oh, for Thy truth and
mercy's sake, forgive and bid me sin no more. The ruins of my soul repair,
and make my heart A house of prayer. Forgive me, Lord, the tender
heart that trembles at the approach of sin. A godly fear of sin impart. Implant and root it deep within. that I may love thy gracious
power, and never dare to offend thee
more. Kelly, serve the Lord with fear. In thy name, O Lord, assembling
we thy people now draw near. Teach us to rejoice with trembling,
speak and let thy servants hear. Hear with meekness, hear thy
word with godly fear. While our days on earth are lengthened,
May we give them, Lord, to Thee, Cheered by hope and daily strengthened. May we run, nor weary be, Till
Thy glory, without clouds, in heaven we see. there in worship purer, sweeter,
all thy people shall adore, tasting of enjoyment greater than they
could conceive before, full enjoyment, full, unmixed,
and evermore Charles Wesley. Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free. From our fears and sins release
us. Let us find our rest in thee. Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the saints thou art. Dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart. Born by children to deliver Born
a child and yet a king. Born to reign in us forever. Now, thy gracious kingdom bring. By thy own eternal spirit, rule
in all our hearts alone. by thy all-sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne. Watts, man frail, God eternal. O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home. Under the shadow of Thy throne,
Thy saints have dwelt secure, sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defense is sure. Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame, from everlasting thou art God, to endless years the same. Thy word commands our flesh to
dust. Return, ye sons of men. All nations rose from earth at
first, and turn to earth again. Thousand ages in thy sight Are
like an evening gone, Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun. Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its suns away, They fly, forgotten, as a dream dies
at the opening day. O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come, be thou our guard while life
shall last and our eternal home.

Gadsby's Hymns, Sacred Selections, part 1

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about election?

How do we know God's decrees are true?

Why is the concept of grace important for Christians?

How does the Bible describe regeneration?

Sermon Transcript

About William Gadsby

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Gadsby's Hymns, Sacred Selections, part 1

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about election?

How do we know God's decrees are true?

Why is the concept of grace important for Christians?

How does the Bible describe regeneration?

Sermon Transcript

About William Gadsby

Comments

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