The Poems of John Byrom Edited by Adolphus William Ward |
 | I. |
 | II. |
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| II. |
A COMMENT ON THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE, IN
THE GENERAL CONFESSION OF SINS USED
IN THE CHURCH-LITURGY: “ACCORDING
TO THY PROMISES DECLARED UNTO
MANKIND IN CHRIST JESU
OUR LORD.” |
|
|
 | The Poems of John Byrom |  |
A COMMENT ON THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE, IN THE GENERAL CONFESSION OF SINS USED IN THE CHURCH-LITURGY: “ACCORDING TO THY PROMISES DECLARED UNTO MANKIND IN CHRIST JESU OUR LORD.”
437
I
“ According to Thy Promises”—Hereby,Since it is certain that God cannot lie,
The truly Penitent may all be sure
That Grace admits them to Its open Door;
And they, forsaking all their former Sin,
However great, will freely be let in.
II
“Declar'd”—By all the Ministers of PeaceGod has assur'd Repentance of Release.
438
Could even Change His positive Decree,
As in the Ninivites. If any Soul
Repent, the Promise is the sure Parole.
III
“Unto Mankind”—Not only to the Jews,Christians or Turks in Writings which they use;
Writ on the Tablet of each conscious Heart:
“Repent; from all Iniquity depart!”
Not for no Purpose; for the plain Intent
Is Restoration, if a Soul repent.
IV
“In Christ”—By Whom true Scripture has assur'dRedeeming Grace for Penitents procur'd.
The fainter Hopes, which Reason may suggest,
Are deeply by the Gospel's Aid imprest.
'Twas always hop'd for, was the Promis'd Good,
But by His Coming clearly understood.
V
“Jesu”—Jehovah's Manifested LoveIn Christ, th' Anointed Saviour from Above.
439
For all Mankind is God's becoming Man;
No Truth more firmly ascertain'd than this:
“Repent, be faithful, and restor'd to Bliss!”
VI
“Our Lord”—Our New and True Parental Head,Our Second Adam, in the first when dead;
Who took our Nature on Him, that in Men
His Father's Image might shine forth again.
Sure of Success may Penitents implore
What God through Him rejoices to restore.
| The Poems of John Byrom | |