31 C.M. J. Hart
“The kingdom of God is ... in power.” 1 Cor. 4. 20
1
A form of words, though e’er so sound,
 
Can never save a soul;
 
The Holy Ghost must give the wound,
 
And make the wounded whole.
2
Though God’s election is a truth,
 
Small comfort there I see,
 
Till I am told by God’s own mouth,
 
That he has chosen me.
3
[Sinners, I read, are justified,
 
By faith in Jesus’ blood;
 
But when to me that blood’s applied,
 
’Tis then it does me good.]
4
[To perseverance I agree;
 
The thing to me is clear;
 
Because the Lord has promised me
 
That I shall persevere.]
5
[Imputed righteousness I own
 
A doctrine most divine;
 
For Jesus to my heart makes known
 
That all his merit’s mine.]
6
That Christ is God I can avouch,
 
And for his people cares,
 
Since I have prayed to him as such,
 
And he has heard my prayers.
7
That sinners black as hell, by Christ
 
Are saved, I know full well;
 
For I his mercy have not missed,
 
And I am black as hell.
8
Thus, Christians glorify the Lord,
 
His Spirit joins with ours
 
In bearing witness to his word,
 
With all its saving powers.