Come and Welcome. (455)

From the cross uplifted high,
Where the Savior deigns to die,
What melodious sounds we hear,
Bursting on the ravished ear!—­
“Love’s redeeming’ work is done—­
Come and welcome, sinner, come!

2 “Sprinkled now with blood the throne—­
Why beneath thy burdens groan? 
On my pierced body laid,
Justice owns the ransom paid—­
Bow the knee, and kiss the Son—­
Come and welcome, sinner, come!

3 “Spread for thee, the festal board—­
See with richest bounty stored;
To thy Father’s bosom pressed,
Thou shalt be a child confessed,
Never from his house to roam;
Come and welcome, sinner, come!

4 “Soon the days of life shall end—­
Lo, I come—­your Savior, Friend! 
Safe your spirit to convey
To the realms of endless day,
Up to my eternal home
Come and welcome, sinner, come!”

     T. Haweis, 1792.

209 Azmon.  C.M.

The Gospel Feast. (417)

Ye wretched, hungry, starving poor! 
  Behold a royal feast,
Where mercy spreads her bounteous store,
  For every humble guest.

2 See, Jesus stands, with open arms;
  He calls,—­he bids you come;
Guilt holds you back, and fear alarms;
  But, see! there yet is room.

3 Room, in the Savior’s bleeding heart;
  There love and pity meet;
Nor will he bid the soul depart,
  That trembles at his feet

4 Oh! come, and with his children taste
  The blessings of his love: 
While hope attends the sweet repast
  Of nobler joys above.

5 There, with united heart and voice,
  Before th’ eternal throne,
Ten thousand thousand souls rejoice,
  In ecstasies unknown.

6 And yet ten thousand thousand more
  Are welcome still to come;
Ye longing souls! the grace adore,
  Approach, there yet is room.

     Anne Steele, 1760.

210 Azmon.  C.M.

Gen. 6:3.

There is a line by us unseen,
  That crosses every path,
The hidden boundary between
  God’s patience and his wrath.

2 To pass that limit is to die,
  To die as if by stealth;
It does not quench the beaming eye,
  Nor pale the glow of health.

3 Oh! where is this mysterious bourne
  By which our path is crossed;
Beyond which God himself hath sworn
  That he who goes is lost?

4 How far may we go on to sin? 
  How long will God forbear? 
Where does hope end, and where begin
  The confines of despair?

5 An answer from the skies is sent,—­
  “Ye that from God depart,
While it is called to-day, repent,
  And harden not your heart.”

     Joseph Addison Alexander.

211 Azmon.  C.M.

The Last Resolve. (416)

Come, humble sinner! in whose breast
  A thousand thoughts revolve: 
Come, with your guilt and fear oppressed,
  And make this last resolve:—­