237 8.7. J. Hart
Faith and Repentance. Rom. 4. 18; 7. 18-25
1
Let us ask the important question,
 
(Brethren, be not too secure),
 
What it is to be a Christian,
 
How we may our hearts assure.
 
Vain is all our best devotion,
 
If on false foundations built;
 
True religion’s more than notion;
 
Something must be known and felt.
2
[’Tis to trust our Well-belovèd
 
In his blood has washed us clean;
 
’Tis to hope our guilt’s removèd,
 
Though we feel it rise within;
 
To believe that all is finished,
 
Though so much remains to endure;
 
Find the dangers undiminished,
 
Yet to hold deliverance sure.]
3
[’Tis to credit contradictions;
 
Talk with him one never sees;
 
Cry and groan beneath afflictions,
 
Yet to dread the thoughts of ease.
 
’Tis to feel the fight against us,
 
Yet the victory hope to gain;
 
To believe that Christ has cleansed us,
 
Though the leprosy remain.]
4
[’Tis to hear the Holy Spirit
 
Prompting us to secret prayer;
 
To rejoice in Jesus’ merit,
 
To receive a full remission
 
Of our sins for evermore,
 
Yet to sigh with sore contrition,
 
Begging mercy every hour.]
5
To be steadfast in believing,
 
Yet to tremble, fear and quake;
 
Every moment be receiving
 
Strength, and yet be always weak;
 
To be fighting, fleeing, turning;
 
Ever sinking, yet to swim;
 
To converse with Jesus, mourning
 
For ourselves or else for him.