“Sin hath reigned unto death.”
“By one offense death reigned by one.”
“Grace reigns through righteousness.”
“Much more they who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life, by One, Jesus Christ.” Romans 5
SIN reigns by man; through sin, man God defies;
Sin's usurpations everywhere prevail:
What vile corruptions now provoke ye, skies!
Could he but reach it, man would heaven assail;
Hurl the Almighty from His holy throne,
And reign,-though Satan's vassal,-all alone.
Death reigns by sin-death sinful man defies;
Death's pirate-flag o'er earth triumphant waves:
Boast as man will, insult and dare the skies,
Death digs for all these boasters loathsome graves;
To foul corruption all his glories brings,
To empty skulls, the heads of wits and kings.
Alas! who can sin's mighty empire shake?
Who can set free sin's captives from their chains?
Who can death's iron crown and scepter break,
Since 't was by man sin entered and death reigns?
My soul rejoice-the SECOND MAN appears!
He lives, He dies; He rose! dry up thy tears.
Jesus the wily tempter overcame;
Sin's reign He broke, while yet sin's doom He bore;
E'en unto death obedient He became,
And by His death, death's empire triumphed o'er:
Sin, death, and hell lie bruised beneath His feet;
Grace reigns triumphant on the mercy-seat.
Grace reigns! Abounding grace o'er sin and ill,
Sin's curse annuls, sin's yoke it bursts in twain;
Grace, that subdues to God the proudest will,
And leads us willing captives in its chain;
Grace, that has met all righteousness can claim:-
Its crown of glory, JESIIS,-precious name!
Now it is gain to die, since Jesus died;
Death is no monster since he lost his sting.
I dread him not, yea, long to be untied
From this poor mortal coil: he breaks the string
That keeps me down, and I shall soar above,
To reign in endless life with Him I love.