Messenger of the Covenant

1 Jesus, commission'd from above,
Descends to men below,
And shews from whence the springs of love,
In endless currents flow.

2 He, whom the boundless Heaven adores,
Whom angels long to see;
Quitted with joy those blissful shores,
Ambassador to me!

3 To me a worm, a sinful clod,
A rebel all forlorn;
A foe, a traitor to my God,
And, of a traitor born:

4 To me, who never sought his grace,
Who mock'd his sacred word;
Who never knew, nor lov'd his face,
And all his will abhorr'd:

5 To me who could not even praise,
When his kind heart I knew;
But sought a thousand devious ways,
Rather than keep the true.

6 Yet this redeeming angel came,
So vile a worm to bless;
He took, with gladness, all my blame,
And gave his righteousness.

7 O! that my languid heart might glow,
With ardour all divine;
And for more love than seraphs knew,
Like burning seraphs shine.


Source: A Collection of Evangelical Hymns #XIII