The True Gospel

In a new book of collected talks on Atonement, J. I. Packer writes on the necessity of the atonement and cites an old hymn by Joseph Hart. Packer writes: “Read it carefully, for this is the true gospel.”

O ye sons of men be wise,
trust no longer dreams and lies,
Out of Christ, almighty pow’r
can do nothing but devour.
God you say is good. ‘Tis true.
But he’s pure and holy too;
just and jealous is his ire,
burning with vindictive fire.
This of old himself declared:
Israel trembled when they heard.
But the proof of proofs indeed
is he sent his Son to bleed.
When the blessed Jesus died
God was clearly justified:
Sin to pardon without blood
never in his nature stood.
Worship God, then, in his Son,
there he’s love and there alone.
Think not that he will, or may,
pardon any other way.
See the suff’ring Son of God,
panting, groaning, sweating blood!
Brethren, this had never been
had not God detested sin.
Be his mercy therefore sought
in the way himself has taught:
There his clemency is such,
we can never trust too much.
He that better knows than we,
bids us all to Jesus flee.
Humbly take him at his Word
and your souls will bless the Lord!

Justin Taylor