The things on earth which men esteem,

The things on earth which men esteem,
And of their richness boast,
In value less or greater seem,
Proportioned to their cost.

The diamond, that's for thousands sold,
Our admiration draws;
For dust men seldom part with gold,
Or barter pearls for straws.

Then what inestimable worth
Must in those crowns appear,
For which the Lord came down to earth,
And bought for us, so dear!

The Father dearly loves the Son,
And rates his merits high;
For no mean cause he sent him down
To suffer, grieve, and die.

The blessings from his death that flow,
So little we esteem,
Only because we slightly know,
And meanly value him.

'Twas our Creator for us bled,
The Lord of life and power;
Whom angels worship, devils dread -
God blest for evermore.

O could we but with clearer eyes
His excellencies trace,
Could we his person learn to prize,
We more should prize his grace.
803A C.M. Joseph Hart

Cor. 2. 9; Heb. 11. 16; 1 Pet. 1. 18, 19

And did the darling Son of God
For sinners deign to bleed?
The purchase of that precious blood
Must needs be rich indeed.

God's wisdom would not pay for toys
So great a price as this;
'Tis God-like glory, boundless joys;
'Tis unexampled bliss.

Saints, raise your expectations high;
Hope all that heaven has good;
The blood of Christ has brought you nigh -
Invaluable blood!

Eye has not seen, nor ear has heard,
Nor can the heart conceive,
What blessings are for them prepared
Who in the Lord believe.

By others, for their virtue fair,
Let rich rewards be sought;
Give me, my God, to freely share
What thou hast freely bought.