Introductory material
Reading edition
99. JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH. How can a sinning man with God be just? This grand inquiry all men need to make, For all are guilty; and they well may quake For flagrant evil deeds or secret lust, For which God's law smites down their prideful trust. Ye sleepers on the brink of woe! awake And to the Gospel listen:—that can break The fetters binding all the lost unjust. Justice and love in wonderful display, Mercy and truth in union sweet combine, And shine forth glorious in the scheme divine. The word reveal'd unfolds to us the way, By which we, sinners, can be just with God;— It is by Faith in Christ's atoning blood.
100. TRIUMPH OF THE GOSPEL. O, blessed day, when through the world below Jesus shall reign the prince of love and peace, For then shall men their angry contests cease, And never more appear in hostile show;— The sword transform'd into th' unbloody plow And spear to pruning hook for thriving trees. The kid lies down with leopard at his ease, And grizzly bear feeds harmless with the cow. The wolf and lamb together peaceful dwell, The calf with the young lion too are led By hand of little child. Ah, who can tell How chang'd the scene, when, fiery passions fled, No stain is seen on human hand of blood, But all men live in holy Brotherhood?