Hymns for the Use of Families, 84

Welcome incurable disease,
Whate'er my gracious God decrees
My happy choice I make,
Death's sentence in myself receive,
Since God a Man of griefs did live,
And suffer for my sake.

The love which brought Him from the skies.
Which made His soul a sacrifice,
Visits me in this pain;
He bids me taste His passion's cup,
And fill His mournful measure up,
That I with Him may reign.

Not that the sufferings I endure
His Father's favour can procure,
Or for my sins atone:
Jesus alone the wine-press trod,
Answer'd the just demands of God,
And paid my debt alone.

Nor can my utmost griefs or pains
Purge out the' original remains,
Or kill the root of sin:
That blood which did my pardon buy,
That only blood must sanctify,
And wash my nature clean.

Yes, O Thou all-redeeming Lamb,
The virtue of Thy balmy name
Restores my inward peace;
Thy death doth all my guilt remove,
Thy life shall fill my heart with love
And perfect holiness.

Faith in Thy powerful love I have,
Thou wilt the helpless sinner save
Who fain to Thee would go:
Thou dost from time to time reprieve,
Till I my pardon seal'd receive,
And all Thy fulness know.

I own Thy kind design on me,
The meaning of Thy patience see;
Thou hast my manners borne,
That saved, before I hence depart,
Lowly, and meek, and pure in heart,
I may to God return.

Accomplish then Thy gracious end,
And bid my happy soul ascend
In holiness complete,
The meanest of that heavenly throng
Who sing Thine own eternal song,
And triumph at Thy feet.