Tried With Fire

Words by William Gadsby, music by Katy Bowers and Matthew Perryman Jones 1. Poor sinner, dejected with fear, Unbosom thy mind to the Lamb; No wrath on His brow He does wear, Nor will He poor mourners condemn; His arm of omnipotent grace Is able and willing to save; A sweet and a permanent peace He’ll freely and faithfully give. 2. Come just as thou art, with thy woe, Fall down at the feet of the Lamb; He will not, He cannot say, “Go”, But surely will take out thy stain A fountain is opened for sin, And thousands its virtues have proved He’ll take thee, and plunge thee therein, And wash thee from filth in His blood. 3. The soul that on Jesus relies, He’ll never, no never deceive; He freely and faithfully gives More blessings than we can conceive; Yea, down to old age He will keep, Nor will He forsake us at last; He knows and is known by His sheep; They’re His, and He will hold them fast.

Behold! the grace appears, The promise is fulfilled! Mary, the wondrous virgin, bears, And Jesus is the child. To bring the glorious news A heavenly form appears; He tells the shepherds of their joys, And banishes their fears. "Go, humble swains, " said he, "To David's city fly, The promised infant born today Does in a manger lie." "With looks and hearts serene, Go visit Christ, your King"; And straight a flaming troop was seen; The shepherds heard them sing: "Glory to God on high, And heavenly peace on earth; Good will to men, to angels joy, At the Redeemer's birth!" In worship so divine Let saints employ their tongues; With the celestial host we join, And loud repeat their songs: "Glory to God on high, And heavenly peace on earth; Good will to men, to angel joy, At the Redeemer's birth!" Isaac Watts

Gerhard van Honthorst (1590-1656) Let earth and heaven combine, Angels and men agree, To praise, in songs divine,  The incarnate Deity; Our God contracted to a span, Incomprehensibly made by man. He laid his glory by, And wrapped him in our clay; Unmarked by human eye, The latent Godhead lay; Infant of Days he here became, And bore the loved Immanuel's name. Unsearchable the love That has the Saviour brought; The grace is far above Or man's or angel's thought; Suffice for us, that God we know, Our God was manifest below! Charles Wesley

Ere the blue heavens were stretched abroad, From everlasting was the Word; With God he was; the Word was God; And must divinely be adored. By his own power were all things made; By him supported all things stand; He is the whole creation's Head, And angels fly at his command. Ere sin was born, or Satan fell, He led the host of morning stars; (Thy generation who can tell, Or count the number of thy years?) But lo! he leaves those heavenly forms; The Word descend and dwells in clay, That he may hold converse with worms, Dressed in such feeble flesh as they. Mortals with joy behold his face, The eternal Father's only Son; How full of truth! How full of grace! When through his eyes the Godhead shone. Bless'd angels leave their high abode, To learn new mysteries here and tell The loves of our descending God, The glories of Immanuel. Isaac Watts

Sweet the name of Christ must be, From and to eternity; For it pleased the Father well. Fulness all in Christ should dwell. Jesus is his name, and Christ; He my Surety is, and Priest; He has saved my soul from sin, And I stand complete in him. Head o'er all is Christ to me, And I shall his glory see; Therefore in his name I'll trust, And of him will make my boast. All a hungry soul can want, Jesus' name will richly grant; Not a blessing God can give, But with Christ the church shall have. May I ever here confide, Let whatever ill betide; And if sufferings must ensue, Gladly bear those sufferings too. May this name be all my choice; If reproached, let me rejoice; And with pleasure keep in view, What the Lord for me went through. William Gadsby

How sweet and precious is the name Of Jesus Christ, the Lord and Lamb, To sinners in distress! A name just suited to their case; Pregnant with mercy, truth, and grace, With strength and righteousness. His name, as Jesus, suits them well; He saves from sin, wrath, law, and hell, From guilt and slavish fears. His name is Wonderful indeed; An able Counsellor to plead; Just suits a case as theirs. Immanuel! thrice-blessed name! The God, we trust is still the same! An endless Father, He; A most illustrious Prince of Peace; A Tower, a precious Hiding place; Is Jesus Christ to me. Yes, if his name be Lord of Hosts; Of his almighty power, I'll boast; He all my foes shall quell; He's all the helpless soul can need; No ointment put on Aaron's head, Could give so sweet a smell. In him the Gentile church shall trust; Of him shall sing; of him shall boast; On him cast all their care; He is their God, and they shall know What his almighty power can do, Nor death, nor danger fear. Wi...

O what matchless condescension The eternal God displays; Claiming our supreme attention, To his boundless works and ways. His own glory He reveals in gospel days. In the person of the Saviour, All his majesty is seen! Love and justice shine forever; And, without a veil between, Worms approach him, And rejoice in his dear name. Would we view his brightest glory, Here it shines in Jesus' face; Sing and tell the pleasing story; O ye sinners saved by grace; And with pleasure, Bid the guilty him embrace. In his highest work, redemption, See his glory in a blaze; Nor can angels ever mention Aught that more of God displays; Grace and justice Here unite to endless days. True, 'tis sweet and solemn pleasure, God to view in Christ the Lord; Here he smiles and smiles for ever; May my soul his name record; Praise and bless him, And his wonders spread abroad. William Gadsby

Whom the Lord Jehovah loves, He in various ways reproves; 'Tis his settled wise decree, That his sons chastised shall be. Them to wean from self and sin, Try the grace he works within; Strip them of each idol god; Make them prize the Saviour's blood; Teach them what and where they are; Draw forth patience, faith, and prayer; Make the closer cling to Christ, And in him alone rejoice; These are ends he has in view, And he'll them accomplish too; Nor shall our poor peevish heart Make him from his purpose start. Yet his love and grace are such, He will ne'er afflict too much; But in every chastening prove His paternal care and love. Father, make us clearly view What thy love designs to do; And in every trying case, Trust thy faithfulness and grace William Gadsby

For us the dear Redeemer died; Why are we then ashamed? We stand for ever justified. And cannot be condemned. Though we believe not, he is true; The work is in his hand; His gracious purpose he will do, And all his word shall stand. If once the love of Christ we feel Upon our hearts impressed, The mark of that celestial seal Can never be erased. The Lord will scourge us if we stay. And wound us with distress; But he will never take away  His covenant of peace. The peace which Jesus' blood secures, And fixes in our hearts, To all eternity endures, Nor finally departs. William Hammond (1719-1783)

O what amazing words of grace Are in the gospel found! Suited to every sinner's case Who knows the joyful sound. Come, then, with all your wants and wounds, Your every burden bring; Here love, eternal love, abounds, A deep celestial spring. This spring with living water flows, And living joy imparts; Come, thirsty souls, your wants disclose,  And drink with thankful hearts. To sinners poor, like me and you, He says he'll freely give, Come, thirsty souls, and prove it true, Drink, and for ever live. Samuel Medley (1738-1799) Photo from Wikimedia Commons

A refuge for sinners, the gospel makes known 'Tis found in the merits of Jesus alone; The weary, the tempted, and burdened by sin Were never exempted from ent'ring therein. This refuge for sinners his love did ordain, In Jesus the Lamb, from eternity slain; And if God the spirit reveal this to you, Take refuge in Jesus, though hell should pursue. The soul that shall enter in safety shall dwell; There's no peradventure of sinking to hell; The oath of Jehovah secures him from fear, Nor shall the avenger of blood enter there. Here's refuge for sinners, whose guilt shall appear As black as the confines of endless despair; Who, stript of all merit, wherein to rely, Are taught by the Spirit to Jesus to fly. Should conscience accuse us, as oft-times it may, Here's blood that can take its defilement away. In Jesus the Saviour, the sinner shall view A city of refuge and righteousness too. John Kent (1766-1843)

In darkness born, I went astray, And wandered from the gospel way; And since the Saviour gave me sight, I cannot see without his light. So poor, and blind, and lame I am, My all is bound up in the Lamb; And blessed am I when I see My spirit's inmost poverty. I cannot walk without his might, I cannot see without his light; I can have no access to God, But through the merits of his blood. It makes me feel my ruined state, It lays my soul at mercy's gate; And Jesus smiles at such a guest; And cheers him with a heavenly feast. John Berridge (1716-1793)

Lord, we plead with thee for pardon; Who can need it more than we? Make us as a watered garden! Fruitful let thy people be; 'Tis thy pleasure That thy people live to thee. Keep us in a world of sorrow; When we call, O hear our prayer! Let us trust thee for the morrow, Free from boasting, free from care; When we trust thee, Truly happy then we are. Thomas Kelly (1769-1855)

Paschal Lamb, by God appointed, Loads of sin on thee were laid; By almighty love anointed, Thou hast full atonement made. All thy people are forgiven, Through the virtue of they blood; Opened is the gate of heaven; Peace is made 'twixt man and God. Jesus, hail! enthroned in glory, There for ever to abide! All the heavenly hosts adore thee, Seated at thy Father's side. For thy people thou art pleading; There thou dost their place prepare; Ever for them interceding, Till in glory they appear. Riches, honour, strength, and blessing, Thou art worthy to receive; Loudest praises, without ceasing. Meet it is for saints to give. All the bright angelic spirits Bring their sweetest, noblest lays; Help to sing the Saviour's merits; Help to chant the Saviour's praise. John Bakewell (1721-1819) and Augustus Toplady (1740-1778)

Say, Christian, would'st thou thrive, In knowledge of thy Lord? Against no scripture every strive, But tremble at His word. Revere the sacred page; To injure any part, Betray, with blind and feeble rage,  A hard and haughty heart. If aught there dark appear, Bewail thy want of sight; No imperfection can be there, For all God's words are right. The Scriptures and the Lord Bear one tremendous Name; The written and the Incarnate Word In all things are the same. For Jesus is the Truth, As well as Life and Way; The two-edg'd sword that's in His mouth, Shall all proud reasoners slay. Why dost thou call Him, Lord? And what He says resist? The soul that stumbles at the word, Offended is at Christ. The thoughts of men are lies; The word of God is true; To bow to That is to be wise; Then hear, and fear, and do. Joseph Hart (1712-1768)

Come, ye souls, by sin afflicted, Bowed with fruitless sorrow down; By the broken law convicted, Through the cross behold the crown! Look to Jesus; Mercy flows through him alone. Sweet as home to pilgrims weary, Light to newly-opened eyes, Flowing springs in deserts weary; Is the rest the cross supplies; All who tastes it Shall to rest immortal rise. Blessed are the eyes that see him; Blest the ears that hear his voice; Blessed are the souls that trust him, And in him alone rejoice; His commandments Then become their happy choice. But to sing the "Rest remaining," Mortal tongues far short must fall; Heavenly tongues are ever aiming, But they cannot tell it all; Faith believes it - Hope expects it -  But it overwhelms them all. Joseph Swain (1761-1796)

Assist my soul, my heavenly King, Thy everlasting love to sing; And joyful spread thy praise abroad, As one, through grace, that's born of God No, it was not the will of man My soul's new heavenly birth began; Nor will, nor power of flesh and blood That turned my heart from sin to God. Herein let self be all abased, And sovereign love alone confessed; This be my song through all the road, That born I am, and born of God. O may this love my soul constrain To make returns of love again; That I, while earth is my abode, May live like one that's born of God. May I thy praises daily show, Who hast created all things new; And washed me in a Saviour's blood To prove that I'm a son of God. And when the appointed hour shall come, That thou wilt call me to my home; Joyful I'll pass the chilling flood, And die as one that's born of God. Then shall my soul triumphant rise To its blest mansion in the skies; ...

Dearest Saviour! we adore thee, For thy precious life and death; Melt each stubborn heart before thee; Give us all the eye of faith. From the law's condemning sentence, To thy mercy we appeal; Thou alone canst give repentance; Thou alone our souls can heal. John Newton (1725-1807)

Rejoice, ye saints, in every state, Divine decrees remain unmoved; No turns of Providence abate God's care for those he once has loved. Firmer than heaven his covenant stands, Though earth should shake and skies depart. You're safe in your Redeemer's hands, Who bears your names upon his heart. Our Surety knows for whom he stood And gave himself a sacrifice: The souls once sprinkled with his blood, Possess a life that never dies. Though darkness spread around our tent, Though fear prevail and joy decline; God will not of his oath repent: Dear Lord, thy people still are thine! Benjamin Wallin (1711-1782)

Now I have found the ground wherein My anchor, hope, shall firm remain, The wounds of Jesus, for my sin Before the world's foundation slain; Whose mercy shall unshaken stay, When heaven and earth are fled away. O grace thou bottomless abyss, My sins are swallowed up in thee! Covered is my unrighteousness; From condemnation I am free. For Jesus' blood, through earth and skies, Mercy, eternal mercy, cries. Jesus, I know, has died for me; Here is my hope, my joy, my rest; Hither, when hell assails, I flee; I look unto my Saviour's breast. Away, sad doubt and anxious fear; Mercy and love are written there. Though waves and storms go o'er my head. Tho' strength, and health, and friends be gone. Though joys be withered all and dead, And every comfort be withdrawn, Steadfast on this my soul relies, Redeeming mercy never dies. Fixed on this ground will I remain. Though my heart fail and flesh decay; This anchor shall my soul sustain, When earth's foundations melt aw...