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With joy or terror shall confess The glory of his righteousness. ISAAC WATTS 1674 L.M. J. Kent
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83 And turn the feet to Zion’s hill. JOHN KENT 1803 7.5. J. Hart
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Election. Mark 13. 20; John 10. 28; 15. 16
Brethren, would you know your stay,
Effectual Calling. Ps. 102. 13; 110. 3; Ezek. 34. 11-16
What it is supports you still? Why, though tempted every day, Yet you stand, and stand you will? Long before our birth, Nay, before Jehovah laid The foundations of the earth, We were chosen in our Head.
There is a period known to God
When all his sheep, redeemed by blood, Shall leave the hateful ways of sin, Turn to the fold, and enter in.
2 At peace with hell, with God at war, In sin’s dark maze they wander far, Indulge their lust, and still go on As far from God as sheep can run. 3
But see how heaven’s indulgent care Attends their wanderings here and there; Still hard at heel, where’er they stray, With pricking thorns to hedge their way.
4
[When wisdom calls, they stop their ear, And headlong urge the mad career; Judgments nor mercies e’er can sway Their roving feet to wisdom’s way.]
5
Glory to God, they ne’er shall rove Beyond the limits of his love; Fenced with Jehovah’s shalls and wills, Firm as the everlasting hills.
6 The appointed time rolls on apace, Not to propose but call by grace; To change the heart, renew the will,
2
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God’s election is the ground Of our hope to persevere; On this rock your building found, And preserve your title clear. Infidels may laugh; Pharisees gainsay or rail; Here’s your tenure (keep it safe) – God’s elect can never fail! JOSEPH HART 1759 L.M. W. Tucker Predestination. Luke 16. 26; Eph. 1. 5-12
Fixed was the eternal state of man,
Ere time its rapid course began; Appointed, by God’s firm decree, To endless joy or misery.
2
Fixed was the vast eternal deep Between the goats and chosen sheep; Nor can a union e’er take place ’Twixt heirs of wrath and heirs of grace.