Good Friday.
“We are sanctified, through the offering of the Body of Jesus
Christ, once for all. ------ sins and iniquities will I remember
no more.”
—Epistle for the Day.
This Day earth and heaven unites
By such bonds of perfect peace,
That
creation's heart delights
In atonement's blest release,
While our bleeding God declares,
Out of Christ,—the world despairs!
Foolish all false wisdom is,
If to merit heaven, it tries;
He who claims a power like this
Is ensphered beyond the skies:
Man, at most, can human be,—
What we want, is Deity!
Blessed Christ! embodied Word!
Thou alone art Life and Light;
Saints who have Thy truth preferr'd
Walk in peace, and worship right;
Thou alone, to sin canst say,
“I am Love, the Living Way.”
Sun of Grace! oh, ever shine
Round our paths, where'er they lead:—
Midnight feels a ray divine
Breaking through the darkest need,
If we hear, when most dismay'd,
“It is I! be not afraid!”
Pardon, peace, and purity,
Gifts without, and grace within,
Love and light, that set us free
From the curse, and chain of sin,
These, Emanuel! Thou canst give
While upon Thy words we live.
Not a need, Thou canst not fill;
Not a fear, Thou wilt not tame:
If, indeed, repentance will
Rest upon Thy glorious Name,—
High o'er ev'ry guilt and grave
Shall Redemption's banner wave!
Lord, then whither shall we go,
Save to Thee, our Refuge sure?
Balm to each bereaving woe,
Who alone the heart canst cure,—
Turning sickness into health,
And, to want, becoming wealth.
Well of Comfort! Vital Spring!
Other source we dare not seek:
Broken cisterns only bring
Mocking draughts, which make us weak:
If our souls would slake their thirst,
They must die, or seek Thee, first!
Saviour! be our polar Star
Shaded by no sinful night;
Shed upon us from afar
Living beams of holy light:—
When we reach our radiant Home
We shall know the way we come:
