CHRIST THE FRIEND OF SINNERS.
(Charles Wesley)
Where shall my wondering soul begin ?
How shall I all to heaven aspire ?
A slave redeemed from death and sin,
A brand plucked from eternal fire,
How shall I equal triumphs raise,
And sing my great Deliverer’s praise ?
0 how shall I the goodness tell,
Father, which Thou to me hast showed ? That I, a child of wrath and hell,
I should be called a child of God,
Should know, should feel my sins forgiven,
Blest with this antepast of heaven !
And shall I slight my Father’s Love,
Or basely fear His gifts to own ?
Unmindful of His favors prove ?
Shall I, the hallowed cross to shun,
Refuse His righteousness to impart,
By hiding it within my heart ?
No : though the ancient dragon rage,
And call forth all his hosts to war,
Though earth’s self-righteous sons engage,
Them and their god alike I dare :
Jesus, the sinner’s Friend, proclaim ;
Jesus, to sinners still the same.
Outcasts of men, to you I call,
Harlots, and publicans, and thieves ;
He spreads His arms to embrace you all; Sinners alone His grace receives:
No need of Him the righteous have ;
He came the lost to seek and save.
Come all ye Magdalens in lust,
Ye ruffians fell in murders old ;
Repent, and live : despair and trust!
Jesus for you to death was sold.
Though hell protest, and earth repine,
He died for crimes like yours — and mine.
Come, O my guilty brethren, come,
Groaning beneath your load of sin ;
His bleeding heart shall make you room,
His open side shall take you in.
He calls you now, invites you home —
Come, O my guilty brethren, come.
For you the purple current flowed
In pardons from His wounded side ;
Languished for you the eternal God ;
For you the Prince of Glory died.
Believe, and all your guilt’s forgiven ;
Only believe — and yours is heaven !