good friday 2011

my father,
enlarge my heart, warm my affections, open my lips.
      supply the words that proclaim 'love lustures at calvary'.
there grace removes my burdens and heaps them on thy Son,
     made a transgressor, a curse, a sin for me;
there the sword of thy justice smote the man, thy fellow;
there thy infinite attributs 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,
     cast 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 Savior 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 thorned 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 live forever.


O that my every breath would be estatic praise,
     my every step boyant 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 opened.


go forth, o conquering God, and show me the cross,
     mighty to subdue, comfort and save.




-take from the valley of vision puritan prayer book, p. 42-43