Gospel Poetry

J. I. Packer says: read this poem carefully, for this is the true gospel.

Oh ye sons of men be wise,
trust no longer dreams and lies,
Out of Christ, all mighty power
can do nothing but devour.

God you say is good, that’s true.
But he is pure and holy too,
just and jealous is his ire,
burning with vindictive fire.

This had all been self-declared:
Israel trembled when they heard,
But the proof of proofs indeed
is he sent his Son to bleed.

When the blessed Jesus died
God was clearly justified.
Sin to pardon without blood
never in his nature stood.

Worship God, then, in his Son,
there his love and there alone.
Think not that he will or may
pardon any other way.

See the suffering Son of God
panting, groaning, sweating blood,
Brethren this had never been
had not God detested sin.

Be his mercy therefore sought,
in the way himself has taught.
There his clemency is such,
we can never trust too much.

He that better knows than we,
God himself bid us now to Jesus flee.
Humbly take him at his Word
and your souls will bless the Lord!

--Joseph Hart