Christian Songs, Song LXXVI

When Christ in poverty appear'd, Was crown'd with thorns, and scourg'd, and slain, Man's understanding was declar'd, And all his boasted wisdom, vain.

2 His haughty pride, alarm'd, cry'd out; "Shall this despis'd One, o'er us reign? "By him, who thus inglorious dy'd, "Must we the divine favour gain?

3 "What, shall that worth all men admire, "Which we rejoice to call our own, "With God be deem'd a thing most vile, "And all who trust it be undone?

4 "Shall he who is all goodness, e'er "Our aims to please him thus contemn? "Must we with thieves and murd'rers stand, "As much oblig'd to grace as them!" That boasted dignity of soul In which man glories, shudders here; Reas'ners, and Pharisees, take arms, As if God would unjust appear.

6 Let them presumptuous still go on, And glory in their fancy'd worth; We'll boast the work which Jesus wrought, And bearing his reproach, go forth!

7 However foolish God's way seems, 'Tis wiser than Man's wisdom far: More strong is his weak way to save, Than all their schemes of safety are.

8 He scorns the things men most admire, And chuses what they most despise: The weak, the mighty to abase; The foolish, to confound the wise!

9 The vallies rais'd—the hills brought low, Before him all men equal stand: To whom he will, he mercy shews, For none deserve it at his hand!

10 But Jesus dying said "'Tis done," And God approv'd—this gives relief Ev'n to the vilest,—for he dy'd For sinners, and of such the chief.

11 Here's worth divine in which to trust, Whoe'er will boast, come glory here; Here God can boundless mercy show, And yet divinely just appear!