587 The earth did quake. Matt. xxvii. To angel and to man; It is a sight for gazing eyes, The Saviour's dying agonies. 588. We are verily guilty concerning our brother. Gen. xlii. 1 YE that pass by, behold the Man, The Man of griefs and wonders too, 2 In scorn they robe Him, crown, adore; 3 Behold His temples crowned with thorn, His bleeding hands spread out so wide; His streaming feet transfixed and torn, The fountain gushing from His side. Where is the King of Glory now? The everlasting Son of God? The Immortal hangs His languid brow; The Almighty faints beneath His load. 4 Beneath our load He faints and dies: We filled His soul with pangs unknown; We caused those mortal groans and cries; We slew the Father's only Son. Yet we through Him who saved the lost, 589 It is finished. John xix. 1 HARK, the voice of love and mercy These triumphant words afford! Saints, His dying words record. 3 All the types and shadows finished Of the ceremonial law, Man's redemption now completed, Death and hell no more shall awe: 'It is finished:' Saints, from hence your comfort draw. 4 Tune your harps anew, ye seraphs; Join the triumph to proclaim; All on earth and all in heaven, Join to praise the Saviour's Name: Alleluia! Glory to the bleeding Lamb! Amen. 590 He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost. John xix. 1 WHILE each solemn function high Of that woful mystery On the Cross Thou deign'st to bear, 2 When death's hour is coming fast, Christ, by cruel hands betrayed, Slain for man, all praise to Thee. Amen. 591 It is finished. Matt. xxvii. 1 'Tis finished: O glorious word Last uttered by the dying Lord! Redeemed soul, forget it never, Remember it, O soul, for ever: Who lived to bless, who died to save thee, said Upon the Cross,—'Tis finished. 2 'Tis finished: upon that tree The Law, the Prophecies, we see In Jesus' bleeding form fulfilled Even as of old the Father willed: For this great end the Lord of glory bled, That all might know-'Tis finished. 3 'Tis finishèd: the creature owed A debt he ne'er could pay to God: Our sins had moved the wrath of That debt is paid, those sins forgiven. The Son of God hath suffered in our stead, And we are free:-'Tis finished. 4 'Tis finished: remains there aught For us to finish? Idle thought! By Him the work was all completed: Its blessings now to all are meted Who with their dying Lord to sin are dead And live to God:-'Tis finished. 5 'Tis finished: the mighty Son O'er death and hell the victory won: He died, He lives, for our salvation, And we may say with exultation: 'For me my Saviour's precious blood was shed, And come what will, 'Tis finishèd.' 6 'Tis finished: but ne'er forget Thou owest still, my soul, a debt Of faith and love to Him who gave thee His life to teach, His death to save thee. Abide in Him who bowed His fainting head With that last word:-'Tis finished. 592 Acquainted with grief. Isa. liii. 2 He the cruel scourge enduring, 3 He to freedom hath restored us To the Cross, and keeps us there. 4 When His painful life was ended, From that fount, His wounded side, Blood and water straight descended, Each a sacramental tide; One from stain of sin to cleanse us, And at length our full reward, 593 By His stripes we are healed. Isa. liii. 10 HEAD and Lord of all creation, Yet humbled unto death for me; My Lord once slain for my salvation, My Saviour, to Thy Cross I flee. From Thee the blood and water flowing Declare Thy power to cleanse and save, Thy love, on guilty men bestowing Whate'er the pining heart can crave. 2 Grant me to thirst for all the blessing Which from Thy wounds so freely flows: I come before Thee, Lord, confessing That Thou alone canst heal my woes. Lord, through Thy sorrows I inherit Forgiveness, grace, and life above: Whate'er I have is from Thy merit, Thy griefs and pains, Thy dying love. 3 Thy tears of mine the consolation, Thy death my spirit's peace, I own; Thy Name my purest meditation; My hope, to bow before Thy throne. Thus, Lord, would I be always living, In blissful union joined to Thee, My Saviour, from Thy fulness giving Thy grace to heal and comfort me. 594 The place of a skull. John xx. 1 WHEN on Sinai's top I see God, in flesh made manifest, 595 God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of Christ. Gal. vi. 1 IN the Cross of Christ we glory: Towering o'er the wrecks of time, All the light of sacred story Gathers round its head sublime. 2 When the woes of life o'ertake us, Hopes deceive and fears annoy, Never shall the Cross forsake us, Shining bright with peace and joy. 3 When the sun of bliss is beaming Light and love upon our way, From the Cross the radiance streaming Adds more lustre to the day. 4 Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure, By the Cross are sanctified; Peace is there that knows no measure, Joys that through all time abide. 5 In the Cross of Christ we glory: Towering o'er the wrecks of time, All the light of sacred story Gathers round its head sublime. 596 1 determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 1 Cor. ii. 1 WHEN I survey the wondrous Cross On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride. 2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast Save in the Cross of Christ, my God; The earthly things that charm me most Are dross beside His precious blood. 3 See, from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down; Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown? 4 Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were an offering far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my life, my soul, my all. 5 To Him who gave His Son to die, To Him whose dying bids me live, To Him, the Spirit blest, may I My heart, my life, my spirit give! A men. 597 Neither death nor life shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. viii. 1 JESU, refuge of the weary, Saviour from the world above; Thou didst bear the pain of all. See Thy thorn-encircled brow? Life eternal, peace, and rest; 3 Jesu, may our hearts be burning To Thy Cross of agony; From the blessèd Saviour's side, 2 The Cross! it takes our guilt away; It holds the fainting spirit up; And gilds the bed of death with 3 The balm of life, the cure of woe, The measure and the pledge of love, The sinner's refuge here below, The angels' theme in heaven above. To God the Father lift your voice, &c. 599 And the people stood beholding. Luke xxiii. 1 SWEET the moments, rich in blessing, 2 Truly blessed is this station; Low before His Cross we lie, While upon the Lamb we gaze, For the pains that wrought our peace; Fix our hearts and eyes on Thee, Till we taste Thy full salvation, And unveiled Thy glories see. Amen. 601 Peace through the blood of His Cross. 1 THE King's bright banners forward go, 2 0 Tree, how passing fair, how bright Beneath this sign we must prevail; Wherein alone our glorying lies. 2 Pledge of our glorious home afar, Of just content death cannot shake: Which here on earth was mocked and 3 Their names are writ in words of light Who here on earth their Lord confessed: They hear the Bridegroom's cry at night, Come to My marriage feast, ye blest. Who then would faint, nor gladly share In Christ's reproach, in want or pain? The bitterest death who would not dare With joy, the martyr's crown to gain? 603 See if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow. Lam. i. 1 Up to the hill of Calvary With Christ our Lord ascending, 2 On must the faithful warrior go Whereso the Chief precedeth; No cup hath such completeness 3 Doth sickness hover o'er thy head, In weakness art thou lying? Thy sick Physician dying! That there for thee must languish, But what thy pride hath clothed with shame, But what thy sin with anguish. PART II. 4 Have wealth and honour spread their wing And thy regrets are ended: One plank hath, hard and narrow. 5 Thy good name suffers from the tongue 6 Fear'st thou the death that comes to all, The soldier next the Leader! And vanquished him before thee: 7 And, if thy conscience brand each sense 604 As thou hast believed so be it done unto thee. Matt. viii. 1 As, when the Hebrew prophet raised The brazen serpent high, The wounded looked, and straight were healed, The people ceased to die: So from the Saviour on the Cross And all, who raise the eye of faith, 2 Thus may we seek the mercy-seat; And bid the dying live. To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, &c. |