182

THE GOSPEL CALL.

GENERAL INVITATIONS.

Behold, now is the accepted time.

S. M.

1 NOW is th' accepted time,

Now is the day of grace;

Now, sinners, come without delay,
And seek the Savior's face.

2 Now is th' accepted time,
The Savior calls to-day;
To-morrow it may be too late,
Then why should you delay?
3 Now is th' accepted time,

The gospel bids you come;
And ev'ry promise in his word
Declares there yet is room.

4 Lord, draw reluctant souls,

And feast them with thy love,
Then will the angels clap their wings,
And bear the news above.*

183

1

Come and welcome to Jesus Christ.

P. M.

COME, ye sinners, poor and wretched,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore!

Jesus ready stands to save you,

Full of pity join'd with pow'r :
He is able,

He is willing: doubt no more.
2 Come, ye thirsty! come and welcome,
God's free bounty glorify:

True belief, and true repentance,
Ev'ry grace that brings us nigh—
Without money,

Come to Jesus Christ, and buy.

3 Let not conscience make you linger, Nor of fitness fondly dream;

All the fitness he requireth,
Is to feel your need of him;
This he gives you;

'Tis his Spirit's rising beam.

4 Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
Lost and ruin'd by the fall!
If you tarry till you're better,
You will never come at all:
Not the righteous,-

Sinners Jesus came to call.

5 View him prostrate in the garden;
On the ground your Maker lies!
On the bloody tree behold him;
Hear him cry, before he dies,
"It is finish'd!"

Sinner, will not this suffice?

6 Lo! th' incarnate God, ascended,
Pleads the merit of his blood:
Venture to him, venture wholly,
Let no other trust intrude;
None but Jesus

Can do helpless sinners good.

7 Saints and angels, join'd in concert,
Sing the praises of the Lamb;
While the blissful seats of heaven
Sweetly echo with his name:
Hallelujah!

184*

1

Sinners here may sing the same.

COME

YOME, sinners, to the gospel feast;
O come without delay;

For there is room in Jesus' breast
For all who will obey.

2 There's room in God's eternal love
To save thy precious soul;
Room in the Spirit's grace above
To heal and make thee whole.

3 There's room within the church, redeemed With blood of Christ divine;

Room in the white-robed throng convened,
For that dear soul of thine.

4 There's room in heaven among the choir,
And harps and crowns of gold,
And glorious palms of vict'ry there,
And joys that ne'er were told.

5 There's room around thy Father's board
For thee and thousands more:
O, come and welcome to the Lord:
Yea, come this very hour.

185 God desires not the death of the sinner. P. M. 7s.

1

WH

THAT could your Redeemer do
More than he hath done for you?
To procure your peace with God,
Could he more than shed his blood?

2 After all his proofs of love,
All his drawings from above,
Why will ye your Lord deny?
Why will ye resolve to die?
3 Turn, he cries, ye sinners turn:
By his life your God hath sworn,
He would have you turn and live,
He would all the world receive.

4 If your death were his delight,
Would he you to life invite?
Would he ask, beseech, and cry,
Why will ye resolve to die?

5 Sinners, turn, while God is near!
Dare not think him insincere:

Now, e'en now, your Savior stands, All day long he spreads his hands!* 6 See, the suff'ring God appears, Jesus weeps, believe his tears! Mingled with his blood they cry, "Why will ye resolve to die?"

186

The Gospel Jubilee.

1

P.M. 6.6.6.6.8.8.

BLOW ye the trumpet, blow
The gladly solemn sound!

Let all the nations know,

To earth's remotest bound,
The year of Jubilee is come;
Return, ye ransom'd sinners, home.
2 Exalt the Lamb of God,

The sin-atoning Lamb;
Redemption by his blood

Through all the lands proclaim:
The year of Jubilee is come;
Return, ye ransom'd sinners, home.
3 Ye slaves of sin and hell

Your liberty receive;
And safe in Jesus dwell,

And blest in Jesus live.
The year of Jubilee is come;
Return, ye ransom'd sinners, home.*

4 The gospel trumpet hear,

The news of pard'ning grace;
Ye happy souls, draw near,
Behold your Savior's face:
The year of Jubilee is come;
Return, ye ransom'd sinners, home.
5 Jesus, our great High Priest,
Has full atonement made;

Ye weary spirits, rest;

Ye mournful souls, be glad!
The year of Jubilee is come;

Return, ye ransom'd sinners, home.

187

1

Sinners invited.

P. M. 8.7.8.7.4.7.

SINNERS, will you scorn the message,
Sent in mercy from above?

Every sentence-Oh, how tender!

Ev'ry line is full of love;

Listen to it,

Every line is full of love.

2 Hear the heralds of the gospel
News from Zion's King proclaim,
To each rebel sinner-" Pardon,
"Free forgiveness in his name."
How important!

Free forgiveness in his name.

3 Tempted souls, they bring you succor;
Fearful hearts, they quell your fears;
And with news of consolation,
Chase away the falling tears:
Tender heralds-

Chase away the falling tears.

4 False professors, grov'ling worldlings,
Callous hearers of the word,
While the messengers address you,
Take the warnings they afford;
We entreat you,

Take the warnings they afford.

5 0 ye angels, hov'ring round us,
Waiting spirits, speed your way,
Hasten to the courts of heaven,
Tidings bear without delay:
Rebel sinners

Glad the message will obey.

188

1

Gospel invitation.

ET ev'ry ear attend,

And ev'ry heart rejoice;

The trumpet of the gospel sounds
With an inviting voice.

2 Ho! all ye starving souls,

That feed upon the wind,

And vainly strive with earthly toys
To fill an empty mind:

3 Here wisdom has prepar'd

A soul-reviving feast,

And bids your longing appetites
The rich provision taste.

S. M.