A General Admonition

Representative Text

1 Brethren, why toil ye thus for toys,
And reckon trash for treasure?
Call gay deceptions solid joys,
Intoxication pleasure?

2 If more refined amusements please,
As knowledge, arts, or learning,
A moment puts an end to these,
And sometimes short’s the warning.

3 What balm could wretches ever find
In wit to heal affliction?
Or who can cure a troubled mind
With all the pomp of diction?

4 Reflect what trifles ye pursue,
So anxious and so heedful;
For, after all, you’ll find it true,
There is but one thing needful.

5 God in his Scriptures to reveal
His will has condescended;
What there is said he will fulfil,
Though man may be offended.

6 This written word with reverence treat;
Join prayer with each inspection;
And be not wise in self-conceit;
’Tis folly to perfection.

7 True wisdom, of celestial birth,
Can both instruct and cherish;
Other attainments are of earth,
And all that’s earth must perish.

8 The chief concern of fall’n mankind
Should be to enjoy God’s favour;
What safety can a sinner find
Before he finds a Saviour?

9 This Saviour must be one that can
From sin and death release us,
Make up the breach ’twixt God and man;
Which none can do but Jesus.

10 Jesus is Judge of quick and dead;
And there is none beside him,
Whether his power we slight or dread,
Adore him or deride him.

11 Whate’er we judge ourselves, we must
Or stand or fall by his doom;
And they that in this Jesus trust,
Have found eternal wisdom.

12 Mercy and love, from Jesus felt,
Can heal a wounded spirit;
Mercy that triumphs over guilt,
And love that seeks no merit.

Source: A Selection of Hymns for Public Worship. In four parts (10th ed.) (Gadsby's Hymns) #814

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Author: J. Hart

Hart, Joseph, was born in London in 1712. His early life is involved in obscurity. His education was fairly good; and from the testimony of his brother-in-law, and successor in the ministry in Jewin Street, the Rev. John Hughes, "his civil calling was" for some time "that of a teacher of the learned languages." His early life, according to his own Experience which he prefaced to his Hymns, was a curious mixture of loose conduct, serious conviction of sin, and endeavours after amendment of life, and not until Whitsuntide, 1757, did he realize a permanent change, which was brought about mainly through his attending divine service at the Moravian Chapel, in Fetter Lane, London, and hearing a sermon on Rev. iii. 10. During the next two years ma… Go to person page >

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