222    C.M.     J. Hart
“Because thou sayest, I am rich.” Rev. 3. 17

1 What makes mistaken men afraid
  Of sovereign grace to preach!
  The reason is, if truth be said,
  Because they are so rich.

2 [Why so offensive in their eyes
  Does God’s election seem?
  Because they think themselves so wise
  That they have chosen him.]

3 [Of perseverance why so loath
  Are some to speak or hear?
  Because, as masters over sloth,
  They vow to persevere.]

4 [Whence is imputed righteousness
  A point so little known?
  Because men think they all possess
  Some righteousness their own.]

5 Not so the needy, helpless soul,
  Prefers his humble prayer;
  He looks to him that works the whole,
  And seeks his treasure there.

6 His language is, “Let me, my God,
  On sovereign grace rely;
  And own ’tis free, because bestowed
  On one so vile as I.

7 “Election! ’tis a word divine;
  For, Lord, I plainly see,
  Had not thy choice prevented mine,
  I ne’er had chosen thee.

8 [“For perseverance strength I’ve none,
  But would on this depend –
  That Jesus, having loved his own,
  Will love them to the end.]

9 “Empty and bare, I come to thee
  For righteousness divine;
  O may thy matchless merits be,
  By imputation, mine.”

10 [Thus differ these; yet hoping each
  To make salvation sure.
  Now most men will approve the rich,
  But Christ has blessed the poor.]