Let us ask the important question,

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.

'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.

'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.

'Tis to hear the Holy Spirit
Prompting us to secret prayer;
To rejoice in Jesus' merit,
Yet continual sorrow bear;
To receive a full remission
Of our sins for evermore,
Yet to sigh with sore contrition,
Begging mercy every hour.

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.
237A 8.7. J. Hart
Matt. 26. 36-46; 2 Cor. 7. 10

Great High Priest, we view thee stooping
With our names upon thy breast;
In the garden groaning, drooping
To the ground, with horrors pressed;
Wondering angels stood confounded
To behold their Maker thus;
And can we remain unwounded,
When we know 'twas all for us?

On the cross thy body broken
Cancels every penal tie;
Tempted souls produce this token,
All demands to satisfy.
All is finished; do not doubt it;
But believe your dying Lord,
Never reason more about it,
Only take him at his word.

Lord, we fain would trust thee solely;
'Twas for us thy blood was spilt;
Bruisèd Bridegroom, take us wholly,
Take and make us what thou wilt.
Thou hast borne the bitter sentence
Passed on man's devoted race;
True belief and true repentance
Are thy gifts, thou God of grace.