"WHAT think ye of Christ?" is the question I ask
Of all who my verses may read;
This question He put, when He stript off the mask
From those who would others mislead;
“What think ye of Christ?" now, consider it well,
It bears on Eternity, Heaven, and Hell.
Oh, ponder it much, it is pregnant with fate,
And life on its issue depends;
Delay not; the terrible sentence, "Too late!”
May pass on you ere the day ends:
Remember that Christ is the Father's delight;
Who thinks with the Father alone thinketh right.
I ask not, What think you of works, or of faith,
Of churches, religion, or hope?
Nor do I now ask, What you think the Word saith
Of presbyter, bishop, or pope?
The question I put, more important by far,
By the blessing of God, may reveal what you are.
As man ever thinks in his heart so is he,
Is what we are told in the Word;
'Tis not by profession, or bending the knee,
That we shall be judg'd by the Lord;
'Tis the state of the heart which determines our fate;
We are saved if we love, we are lost if we hate.
God says of the Christ, He's my well-belov'd Son,
In whom I do ever delight;
For glory to God in the highest He won,
And precious is He in His sight
Dost think thou couldst dwell in His bless'd abode,
If regarding His Son thou shouldst differ with God?
Suppose you attained to the glory above
(A thing which you never can do),
Without thinking rightly of Christ and His love,
Say, Would it be heaven to you?
His praises in glory forever will swell;
To saints it is heaven, to you 'twould be hell.
But there is a truth I would fain have you know,
'Tis plainly reveal'd in the Word,
Of saints 'tis not said that to heaven they go,
They go to be with the bless'd Lord:
Who knows not the Person will ne'er see the place;
Who knows Him, will joy in His fullness of grace.
Oh, Christ is the Life, and the Truth, and the Way!
Our Ransom, our Rock, and our Food
Our Redeemer, Example, our Comfort, and Stay!
Of whom we should only think good;
Then, think thou with God, cast away every doubt,
With Christ you are safe, but you perish without!
H. M.