1149    8s     John Newton
Vital Knowledge of Christ. Matt. 22. 42

1 What think you of Christ? is the test,
  To try both your state and your scheme;
  You cannot be right in the rest,
  Unless you think rightly of him.
  As Jesus appears in your view,
  As he is belovèd or not;
  So God is disposèd to you;
  And mercy or wrath is your lot.

2 Some take him a creature to be,
  A man, or an angel at most:
  Sure these have not feelings like me,
  Nor know themselves wretched and lost.
  So guilty, so helpless am I,
  I durst not confide in his blood,
  Nor on his protection rely,
  Unless I were sure he is God.

3 Some call him a Saviour in word,
  But mix their own works with his plan;
  And hope he his help will afford,
  When they have done all that they can:
  If doings prove rather too light,
  (A little, they own, they may fail),
  They purpose to make up full weight
  By casting his name in the scale.

4 Some style him the Pearl of great price,
  And say he’s the Fountain of joys;
  Yet feed upon folly and vice,
  And cleave to the world and its toys:
  Like Judas, the Saviour they kiss,
  And while thy salute him, betray;
  Ah! what will profession like this
  Avail in his terrible day?

5 If asked what of Jesus I think,
  Though still my best thoughts are but poor,
  I say, he’s my meat and my drink,
  My life, and my strength, and my store;
  My Shepherd, my Husband, my Friend,
  My Saviour from sin and from thrall;
  My hope from beginning to end,
  My portion, my Lord, and my All.