Sunday, August 12, 2012

Love Lustres at Calvary

Here's a prayer titled "Love Lustres at Calvary" from "The Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions" edited by Arthur Bennett (pages 76-77):

MY FATHER,

Enlarge my heart, warm my affections, 
open my lips,
   supply words that proclaim ‘Love lustres
     at Calvary.’
There grace removes my burdens and heaps them
     on thy Son,
   made a transgressor, a curse, and sin for me;
There the sword of thy justice smote the man,
     thy fellow;
There thy infinite attributes were magnified,
   and infinite atonement was made;
There infinite punishment was due,
   and infinite punishment was endured.
Christ was all anguish that I might be all joy,
   cast off that I might be brought in,
   trodden down as an enemy
     that I might be welcomed as a friend,
   surrendered to hell’s worst
     that I might attain heaven’s best,
   stripped that I might be clothed,
   wounded that I might be healed,
   athirst that I might drink,
   tormented that I might be comforted,
   made a shame that I might inherit glory,
   entered darkness that I might have eternal light.
My Saviour wept that all tears might be wiped
     from my eyes,
   groaned that I might have endless song,
   endured all pain that I might have unfading health,
   bore a thorny crown that I might have
     a glory-diadem,
   bowed his head that I might uplift mine,
   experienced reproach that I might receive
     welcome,
   closed his eyes in death that I might gaze
     on unclouded brightness,
   expired that I might for ever live.
O Father, who spared not thine only Son that thou
     mightest spare me,
All this transfer thy love designed and
     accomplished;
Help me to adore thee by lips and life.
O that my every breath might be ecstatic praise,
   my every step buoyant with delight, as I see my
     enemies crushed,
   Satan baffled, defeated, destroyed,
   sin buried in the ocean of reconciling blood,
   hell’s gates closed, heaven’s portal open.
Go forth, O conquering God, and show me
   the cross, mighty to subdue, comfort and save.

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