by John Newton, When descending from the sky
“ How the sound our hearts will damp! How will shame o’erspread each face! If we only have a lamp, Without the oil of grace. Foolish virgins then will wake And seek for a supply; But in vain the pains they take To borrow or to buy: Then with those they now despise, Earnestly they’ll wish to share ”
by John Newton, When descending from the sky
“ Once, they’ll cry, we scorned to doubt, Though in lies our trust we put; Now our lamp of hope is out, The door of mercy shut. If they then presume to plead, “Lord open to us now; We on earth have heard and prayed, And with thy saints did bow:” He will answer from his throne, “Though you with My people mixed, Yet to Me you ne’er were known, Depart, your doom is fixed.” O that none who worship here May hear that word, Depart! Lord impress a godly fear On each professor’s heart: Help us, Lord, to search the camp, Let us not ourselves beguile; Trusting to a dying lamp Without a stock of oil. ”
