JESUS is crucified—the previous scene Of our salvation and his glorious reign: Mysterious process! Tho', by nature's laws, Such an effect demanded such a cause: For none but He could form the grand design, And raise, anew, the human life divine. No less a mystery can claim belief, Than what belongs to our Redeeming Chief: Divine and supernatural, indeed, The love that mov'd the Son of God to bleed; But what he was and did, in each respect, Was real cause producing its effect. Children of Adam needs must share his fall; Children of Christ can re-inherit all: This was the one, and therefore chosen way, For love to manifest its full display. Absurd the thought of arbitrary plans! Nature's one true religion this—and man's. All that we know of God and nature too, Proves the salvation of the gospel true; Where all unites in one consistent whole, The life of God renew'd within the soul: Renew'd by Christ—He only could restore The Heav'n in man to what it was before: Could raise God's image, clos'd in death by sin, And raise Himself, the Light of life, therein: The one same Light that makes angelic bliss; That spreads a Heav'n thro' nature's whole abyss: The Light of nature, and the Light of men, That gives the dead his pow'r to live again. @3The way, the truth, the life@1—whatever terms Preferr'd, 'tis He that every good affirms; The one true Saviour; all is dung and dross, In saving sense, but Jesus and his cross: All nature speaks; all scripture answers thus— @3Salvation is the life of@1 CHRIST @3in us.@1 |