Sovereign Grace Church

…mine eyes have seen thy salvation

[LUKE 2:22-38]

No solace can the Christian find in honours, wealth, or mirth;

Such empty trifles fail to charm a soul of heavenly birth.

If friendship with the world he seek, it only proves a rod

To wean his wandering heart from all at enmity with God.

Then shall he look into himself? From thence his comfort draw?

Or strive to build bright hopes upon Mount Sinai’s fiery law?

From self with grief and shame he turns, for sin’s in every breath;

And Sinai thunders loudly forth: “The wages of sin is death.”

Where, then, shall craving mortals turn, and satisfaction find,

If these convey no lasting peace to the immortal mind?

One source of comfort yet remains; One Friend for ever lives;

Such boundless bliss in Christ we find as nature never gives.

There’s consolation in His name—[Lord] Jesus from sin can save;

In Person, work, and righteousness, in garden, cross, and grave.

As Bondsman, He for bankrupt souls had every debt to pay;

“Mighty to save,” He “once for all” put legal claims away.

Immanuel! Our Kinsman near, The spotless “Lamb of God,”

The Father’s first and Well-beloved, has brought us nigh with blood.

In Him the church her Husband views; and well it may be said,

She died, was buried, rose again, By union with her Head.

And now, by faith, we pierce the skies, see our Forerunner there;

Our Priest and Intercessor pleads that we His glory share.

He lives! and we shall live through Him, and also reign, ere long;

Meanwhile the hope to us affords a consolation strong.

And this is what we ask of God as consolations flow,—

Still more the love of Christ to feel, still more of Christ to know.