The song of the redeemed : salvation to God, and to the Lamb

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Preface

During a period of much debility and pain, the following Song has been written with the design of promoting the glory of the Lord, and the happiness of man. Salvation is its great and important theme. The question, '* What shall a man give in exchange for his soul ?" implies salvation is of infinite importance to our present and eternal welfare. For it, Jesus left the regions of glory, and suffered and died in this apostate world. It is God's master-piece of spiritual display, involving the perfections of Deity, the happiness of man, and the eternal halleluiahs of saints and angels. It is

THE SCIENCE AND THE SONG OP ALL ETERNITY.

In the following pages, it is discussed on the broad and eternal principles of our most holy religion ; and quotations, in prose and in poetry, are made from authors who are now tuning their golden harps in sweeter and nobler strains than were ever heard by mortal ear. It is intended for all classes, conditions and capacities ; and we now commend it to G-od, whose blessing we implore to make it instrumental in bringing many sons and daughters home to mansions in the skies, where they will forever sweetly sing the praises of redeeming love. Oh — vi Preface.

" Thou whom I love, but cannot see, My Lord, my God ! look down on me ;

My low affections raise, The spirit of liberty impart.

Enlarge my soul, inflame my heart,

And while I spread thy praise.

Shine on my path, in mercy shine, Prosper my work, and make it thine."

Aboyle, N. T., Oadbtr^ 1860.

J. W. U.

Contents

PAOB

I. Saltation thb Theme of our Song.

Salvation defined. — Its importance — necessity — suitability — freeness — completion — duration ----- 1

I. Salvation The Theme Of Our Song

Strike your golden harps — ^ye seraphs Jom to sing the exalted theme ; All on earth, and all in heaven, Join to praise Iramanuel's name.

Halleluiah, Halleluiah — Glory to God and to the Lamb.

In honor to the Saviour, all Nature bowed before the transcendent glories of his Cross, and all the Hosts of Heaven will celebrate, in one grand concert, his splendid triumph over the Prince of Darkness and his banded legions. Long ago, songs of joy and praise have been sung by the ransomed of the Lord, anticipating the grand concert of eternity. Away, on the lonely shore of the Red Sea, where the pursuing foe lay cold in death, Israel chanted his triumphant song of deliverance, and by the ancient river Kishon, near Mount Tabor, his posterity sung their song of victory over Sisera and his combined forces. When devout men saw the salvation which God had prepared before the face of all people, they sung his praise with transports of joy, while attending angels shouted, " Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men/' In almost inspired strains, poets had long sung of that golden age, when a new- Prince would arise, and the Serpent should die, and war cease, and universal peace would breathe her balmy influence on this apostate world.* But, in a brighter and happier world, where bliss supreme and eternal reigns in every heart, a new song is sung, which none can learn but those who are redeemed from the earth. It is the new song of Redemption, sung in the most exalted strains by all the triumphant hosts of heaven. Its theme is Jesus and his salvation. This was the favorite theme of all the inspired writers— the end of all the legal rites and ceremonies, and the sum and substance of every prophetic sono-. Oh, what a song of joy and triumph! It involves infinite wisdom, almighty power, everlasting love, endless felicity, and the eternal halleluiahs of men and angels. It is a song of complete deliverance, final triumph and everlasting joy. The angels around the throne on high, listen to it with wonder and admiration. It sounds well in this vale of tears, but it will sound much better in that world where God will wipe away all tears from our eyes. It sounds sweet in anticipation of heaven, but it will sound sweeter far, in the

* Eclogue, 4th.

midst of the Paradise of God. We sing it on earth, to soothe our sorrows on the way to the land of promise, and by Divine favor, we shall sing it in that holy land on the banks of the pure river of water of life. It is a glorious song of triumph, even when sung by all the children of light on earth; but how much more glorious and triumphant will it be, when sung by all the redeemed in heaven! Oh, that all men would now learn with great delight this new song of salvation to God and to the Lamb. It is the Science and the Song of all Eternity,

Salvation signifies deliverance from some evil, or enemy. In Theology, it signifies: "The redemption of man from the bondage of sin, and liability to eternal death, and the conferring on him everlasting happiness." It brings deliverance from all moral evil, and confers on him all spiritual and eternal good. The Gospel reveals this salvation in all its excellence, and in language so clear, that none need err therein. In the tender accents of mercy, it earnestly invites the poor, perishing sinner to receive all the blessings of grace, with joy and heart-felt gratitude to God, and assures him that there is no sinner so guilty but he may be forgiven, — none so fallen, but he may be restored — and none so lost and helpless, but he may be recovered and saved with honor and glory in the end. It conveys to our minds the important truth, that this great salvation was contrived by the Father, procured by the Son, and is applied to our souls by the Holy Sprit of Promise.

Viewed with reference to the soul and eternity,

SALVATION IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE. Of all temporal things, man esteems life the most precious and important. He will exert all his powers to save it ' from the numerous evils which assail it by day and by night. To preserve it from all injuries, which may arise from any cause, is his constant care. To procure the means of subsistence is his constant labor. To repair the injuries it has sustained, and guard against approaching danger, he calls in the aid of others, and freely spends all his living. **A11 that a man hath will he give for his life." He esteems it a precious boon, on which, so far as human agency is concerned, is suspended his eternal destiny. But when a light from heaven, above the brightness of the noon-day sun, leads him to see the true value of the soul, which must live forever in happiness or in misery, its salvation rises in importance above life itself, and all finite conception. Then a new field of interest and of labor opens up to his view, and he is willing to do and suffer all, to save his soul, and be found in Christ Jesus in that great day when he will pronounce the final doom of men and fallen angels. He sees the storm of divine wrath advancing with the speedy sword of justice, and the voice of God, as on the Mount that burned with fire, ready to break on his devoted head, and all trembling with fear under a sense of sin and deserved punishment, he cries, Lord, save me, I perish — God be merciful to me, a sinner — What must I do to be saved? Without salvation from sin and woe, 1 had better never been born. Salvation is now the only thing I desire, and I have not words to tell its value. Compared with its worth, this enchanting world is splendid poverty. I fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and hoAy in the fire that never shall be quenched. No voice is to me so sweet, so joyful and full of blessing, as that which proclaims salvation through the precious blood of Immanuel. "Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound. They shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day, and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted." Blessed be God, that the sound of this salvation has ever reached our ears. Fain would I sound it out so loud that all the world could hear.

Nothing can diminish its importance, nor separate from it our present, our personal and eternal interest. In comparison with it, all earthly pleasures, riches, honor and glory, are only as the shadow to the substance. In its glory, the heavens and the earth lose their lustre. If, in this world of sin and woe, there be any theme which claims our interest above every other, it is salvation. Nothing is of so vast importance.

** It is the most precious gift a God of love can bestow; ' 1* the greatest work which God Incarnate wrought, and the strongest proof of the grace of the Holy Spirit "; and it should be the most eai-nest pursuit of our lives. It is the only enterprise in which we can engage without fiiil from human weakness or reverse of fortune; and yet, alasl how few realize it — how few think of it at all — how many disregard and despise it altogether, and ardently pursue the momentary pleasures of the world, to the utter neglect of their own eternal salvation. May no earthly consideration of gain, honor, power, or pleasure have such influence over our hearts, and cause us to neglect so great salvation; but through riches of free grace, may we experience its divine power and joy in our souls, to console us in life, sustain us in death, and crown us in eternity.

What is so important as our own salvation 9 Can you name any thing within the vast range of thought? Take your stand on the highest pinnacle of the world, and view all the works that are done under the sun, and their glory, and what are they in comparison with our own eternal welfare? What are the schemes of orators and statesmen and heroes — what is the success of armies and commerce, and even the deliverance of a nation from temporary bondage, in comparison with the salvation of an immortal soul from the anguish and horrors of eternal despairl The day is coming when they will be esteemed of no account, even by the devotee of wordly wealth and worldly pleasure, and the most exalted worldly monarch, who would then fondly give ten thousand worlds for another year, another month, or another day, to obtain an interest in that divine Saviour whom they have slighted.

The eternal happiness or misery to which man is destined, renders the salvation of the soul infinitely important, and its loss equally great and overwhelming. Eternity! O, Eternity! who can comprehend the immensity of thy joys or thy sorrows! Is not the very thought of such things sufficient to sound an alarm in the ear of stupidity, and make all men strive mightily to obtain the bliss of heaven, and avoid the torments of eternal fire? How great is the torment of fire for a moment! but what would it be for an hour — a day — an eternity, and no friend to impart consolation— ^no God to sustain the spirit — nothing to relieve the eye, and not a drop of water to cool the tongue! Who can comprehend the import of the words, eternal fire — eternal punisliment, or of life eternal— bliss eternal! Not one. Then is not salvation all-important to every human being?

Salvation is necessary for present and future Happiness. Earthly honors and possessions and pleasures can never cause true happiness in the human breast. " Man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." He may be clothed in purple, and fare sumptuously every day — he may be crowned and titled, and honored and served g The Song of the Redeemed,

by admiring multitudes — the rocks may pour him out rivers of oil — the fields and trees and streams may lend their music to his pleasure, and yet leave an aching void in his soul. The joys that spring from earth do not bring peace to the soul, nor are the splendid crowns which men wear essential to true and lasting felicity; but one thing is needful,

** Which done, the poorest can wants endure. And which not done, the richest must be poor."

" Give ear all ye people; hear, all ye inhabitants of the earth, both high and low, rich and poor together" — the salvation of the soul ts the one tking needful. It is needful for all; from the king on his throne, to the servant that grinds at the mill — for ministers of the Gospel, and for hearers — for the rich, who, without it, are poor in the midst of abundance, and miserable in the midst of pleasures and palaces — for the poor, who are anxious about what they shall eat, or what they shall drink, or wherewithal they shall be clothed — for the old, whose hoary heads will soon be brought to a dishonored grave without it — for the young, who are so gay and thoughtless amid the pursuits and pleasures and vanities of life. It is needful for the whole human race of every age, condition, color and clime. Nothing is so needful.

What is said of wisdom is true of salvation and of religion. ** Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore

Salvationt the Theme. 9

get wisdom; exalt her, and she shall promote thee; she shall bring thee to honor when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee." In the judgment of God, who revealed it, — of the Saviour, who procured it, — and of the Spirit, who applies it — salvation is needful for present peace and future happiness. This is the judgment of the redeemed in heaven, and of the undone in hell; and what perfect folly is in the conduct of those who act as if salvation is the one thing needless/ Oh, Father in HeavenI look down in pity and in love on such erring mortals; turn them from every evil way, and in mercy reveal to them thy great salvation. It is needful, to sweeten our comforts, and relieve the burdens and sorrows of life, and bring us in triumph over death and the grave, to the unmingled joys and pleasures which are at thy right hand. Without it, the world is worthless and insipid as the fruit which has lost its flavor, the flower its bloom, or the landscape its beauty. Without it, we have no hope beyond the grave, nor anything to obtain God's favor, and must finally be banished from his presence into the dark abodes of endless woe. How overwhelming is the thought of such banishmentl From it we instinctively recoil, and grasp for each hope of heaven. But who can have this hope without that religion which is the principal thing; which involves salvation and the whole duty of man, the interests of society, and the glory of God. In the close of his will the distinguished Patrick Henry says: "I have now disposed of all my proporty to my family; there is one thing more I wish I could give them, and that is The Christian Eeligion. If they had this, and I had not given them one shilling, they would be rich; and if they had not that, and I gave them all the world, they would be poor." It is the principal thing — the basis of all true greatness in every human character — the source of all true felicity and exc-ellence in both worlds — the sweet bond of peace which unites man with his Creator and with all the children of light. Without it, all on earth will fade and die — all human skill and science — all political eminence and professional fame. Without it, man floats as a worthless atom in the universe, apart from all his proper attractions, — out of the path of all his duties — away, far away from all true happiness, without God and without hope in the world. Oh, that every sinner may now feel the necessity of salvation, and feel the power of religion. Believers in all ages have felt its power — Poets have sung its praise.

t(

Religion ! what treasures untold Reside in that heavenly word ;

More precious than silver and gold. Or all that this earth can afford."

Religion, The messenger of heavenly love.

The bow of promise in a storm — Beyond the narrow vale of time, Where bright celestial ages roll, To scenes eternal, scenes sublime, She points the way and leads the soul."

However little the unrenewed man may desire this salvation, he needs it. He may flatter himself that he is rich and increased in goods, and has need of nothing ; but he knows not his spiritual poverty and misery and constant exposure to divine wrath. O, sinner, do you not need redemption through the blood of Christ ? As sinners condemned to die we need salvation. *' The soul that sinneth, it shall die" is the sentence of **Him who can neither deceive, nor change. The sentence will therefore be executed in its strict meaning on all who disobey, and who do not become interested in the redemption of Christ. Under such a sentence infinitely dreadful, and unalterably certain, our danger is immensely gi^eat, and our ruin entire. From this sentence, therefore, we infinitely need a deliverance. Our all is at stake, and our souls are in a situation of the most terrible hazard. Hell, if we continue in this situation, is open before us, and destruction has no covering. It is impossible that any beinofs should be in a state of more absolute and pressing necessity. Rational, immortal, and incapable of perishing by annihilation, we must ie, and be forever. But to exist forever, and yet to be sinful and miserable only, is a doom compared with which all other characters and sufferings lose their deformity and wretchedness, and rise into happiness and distinction. Let us never forget our intense and melancholy necessity." Let us ask ruined and wretched sinners — it

Why will ye lavish out your years.

Amidst a thousand trifling cares ; Whilst in this various range of thought, The one thing needful you forget.

Why will ye chase the fleeting wind. And famish an immortal mind ; While angels with regret look down To see you spurn a heavenly crown ?

The Eternal God calls from above, And Jesus pleads his bleeding love ; Awakened conscience gives you pain, And shall they join their pleas in vain ?

Not so — your dying eyes shall view Those objects which you now pursue ; Not so shall heaven and hell appear, When the decisive hour is near.

Almighty God, thy power impart To fix conviction on the heart.

Thy power unveils the blindest eyes And makes the haughtiest scorner wise.'*

Salvation is suitable to our wants — suitable to all classes, and ages, and conditions, and capacities — to the learned and unlearned; the barbarian, Scythian, bond and free, male and female — the strict moralist, and the vilest of the vile. It views all, as sinners exposed to divine wrath; and the minor distinctions which prevail among men from parentage, wealth, honor, office, color and clime, are all lost and forgotten in its universal suitability. In this respect it comes to our aid, and freely offers the greatest possible blessings. Do we need cleansing from the guilt and pollution of sin? Here is the fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness — the blood which cleanses from all sin, with a perfection matchless and inconceivable. Do we need righteousness for justification and acceptance with God? Jesus is Tiie Lord Our Righteousness, and the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Do we need grace and strength to do the will of our Father in Heaven? He says: "My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Do we need food and raiment? Here is the best robe, and the best provision freely given to all who desire these favors. Are we poor and needy, without friends and consolation? Here is the gold tried in the fire that we may be rich, and the Friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Are we weary and heaven-laden with the burden of sin? Here is rest for the weary. Are we in darkness about the state of our souls? Here is the Sun of Righteousness with his effulgent beams, to dispel all darkness and enlighten our pathway to mansions of endless bliss, and here is the sum of all perfection and excellence made over in covenant to us, in tlieao endearing words: " I will be a Father unto yi)\\ and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Jiord Almighty."

As light and everything in nature is adapted to the end for which they were made, so is this salvation adapted to our wants. It is spiritual and so meets our Hi)iritual wa^ts, and has answered the end for which it was designed. The sinner needs present deliverance, and it is brought nigh to him in ** The word of Faith which we preach, that if thou shalt confess with thy nioudi the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thy heail; that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." ro. x:8, 9. He needs pardon of sin, repentan(;e towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ — grace in time and glory in eternity. Here all is provided, and secured by the covenant, promise, power and faithfulness of Jehovah himself. Here is the living Fountain from which all the streams of pi'csent and eternal felicity freely and abundantly flow unto us.

Oh, come fellow sinners, and drink the water of life freely flowing from this pure and living fountain. With transports of joy, and with heart-felt gratitude adore God for the unsearchable riches of his grace — with admiration exclaim, O, the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and goodness of God. In the language of prayer and of faith say, I am jjoor and leedy; but there is in Christ Jesus an iDfinite fulness Tor all my wants. God has promised that "the needy shall not always be forgotten; the expectation of the poor shall not perish." P8.ix: is. " When the poor and needy seek water and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys." i8a:xU:i7. Then, O Lord, supply all my need according to thy riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Wash me in that fountain which is opened for sin and for uncleanness — send me the great Physician with his sovereign balm to heal all my diseases, and clothe me with the garment of salvation. O, let the Spirit of Truth and Holiness rest on me — open the door of thy treasures and give me the unsearchable riches of Christ Jesus. I have heard of thy mercy and the remedy which thou hast provided for the poor perishing and helpless sinner, and I have come to thee for that mercy and that remedy. In all ages thou hast bestowed the riches of thy grace on the poor and needy, without money and without price, and I am encouraged to come to thee for those unsearchable riches. Oh, grant me thy salvation so essential to my happiness — so perfectly adapted to my wants.

Salvation is free to all men, suspendld on no

CONDITION as a MERITORIOUS GROUND OF ITS RECEPTION.

Even faith is only the instrument of receiving, and is neither the condition nor the procuring cause of it; for faith is the gift of God — a supernatural grace, and hence cannot be a condition of salvation. It is not granted for ancestry; wealth, works, talents, human merit, external relation to the church, or any such thing — God forgives sin freely and for his own name's sake; and on the same terms grants salvation. The natural man supposes his reformation of life, abundant wealth, or good works will procure salvation for him. But how vain is this supposition! Reformation caunot atone for past offences — good works, and money can never obtain eternal life for man. Though he may give " ten thousands of rivers of oil " or " his first born for his transgression," or " bestow all his goods to feed the poor, and give his body to be burned," yet all this avails nothing in the W2iy oi procuring and meriting salvation. It is above all price, and because we have no equivalent to give, God has made it free. He says: **Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price" — "Come take the water of life freely." Jesus says: "I am the living bread which came down from heaven, if any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever; for the bread which I will give him is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." "If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink." Such language proves beyond doubt that salvation is freely offered to all, even the chief of sinners without respect to merit or condition in life.

Even the natural gifts of Providence are fi-eely bestowed on a sinful world without respect of persons. The sun shines, and the rain descends freely on the evil and on the good; and how much more is not salvation freely offered to perishing sinners. What equivalent can we render for so great a blessing? Can man be profitable to God as he that is wise may be profitable to himself, or can all created excellence procure salvation? By no means. Our righteousness does not commend us to God, who says: "Ye have sbld yourselves for nought, and ye shall be redeemed without money, ^^ is. lU: 3. "I will give to him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. ^^

*' How free the fountain flows Of endless life and joy!

The spring which no confinement knows, Whose waters never cloy.

How sweet the accents sound From the Redeemer's tongue !

Assemble all ye nations round In one obedient throng.

Ho, every thirsty soul

Approach the sacred spring,

Drink, and your fainting spirits cheer.

Renew the draft and sing."

« Salvation is free as the fountain — as the air of

heaven — as the light of the sun — free to all, the

poorest, the vilest. No moral fitness, no money, no

price is required to render any sinner welcome to this

2* unutterable blessing. *'It is for sinners as sinners; for the lost as lost; for the wretched as wretched; for the unworthy as unworthy" — for the guilty, polluted and condemned. It is just what we need, and all we need — the free gift of free grace. It is for the lost, and such are we. *' It is not sold, but given — it is not bartered, but freely conferred — it is not a debt but a favor." It is not procured by works, but received by faith as the gift of God, and we cannot honor him more than by thus receiving it; nor dishonor him more than by neglecting, despising and rejecting it. Oh, may we honor our Divine Redeemer by receiving with joy and gratitude the great salvation which he has procured by his own blood and freely given to a lost and perishing worldl How unspeakable the gifti How free and full of the exceeding riches of his gracel It is offered by him whom we may approach with ardor, and without presumption — who holds thrones and sceptres in his hand, and proclaims to the ends of the earth: ** Let him that is athirst come, and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."

Re. xxii : 17.

His salvation is complete. Jesus saves from all sin, and its dire consequences — sins of youth and riper years — sins without number, vile and aggravated to the last degree. Whether known, or unknown, felt, or unfelt, remembered, or forgotten, he has made atonement for them all by his most precious blood, which cleanses from all siu. It is salvation from all manner of sin — all degree of sin. ** All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men, but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men." Mtxu.-si "All that believe are justified from all things from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." Jesus has made atonement for the chief of sinners. " This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtfiined mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, for 2i pattern to them who should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." i Tim. i: 15, le. The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is excepted, not because there is not an all-sufficiency in the atonement for one guilty of this sin; but because he rejects the only sacrifice for sin, and will not receive the atonement. Jesus saves from all sin, and all enemies of the soul, and presents the Church to God the Father without spot, or blemish, or any such thing. Washed in the fountain which flows from ImmanueFs veins, he sees no stain of sin in her; but she appears to him as the morning, fair as the moon and clear as the sun. This salvation includes deliverance from all moral evil, and the bestowment of all spiritual good.